‘The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway’ (or S.M.J.) was a small independent railway company which ran a line across the empty, untouched centre of England. It visited the counties of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and a little of Buckinghamshire, only existing as the SMJ from 1909 to 1923. In 1923 the S.M.J.became a minor arm of the London Midland and Scottish (L.M.S.), then in 1948 'British Railways'
Gone but not forgotten: "the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth"
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SMJ Forum
Further about Ravenstone Wood Junction
Firstly a belated thanks to Barry for his excellent research that has returned these signal lever plates to their rightful home! [Perhaps their place of residence on the website needs changing!] Apologies for starting s new Forum discussion on this…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward on Saturday.
Ravenstone Wood Junction Signal Box-an anomaly 3 Replies
Closely examining the brass lever plates shown in the Olney Line entry in the Index Section of this website I noticed a significant anomaly. Some of the above plates, specifically 1, 10, 11, 12, 25, 32, 34. refer to platforms, loading dock, goods…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Barry Taylor Oct 9.
SMJ keys from the Towcester area 1 Reply
I have been contacted by someone who wishes to dispose of two sets of SMJ-related keys from the Towcester area, but does not want to put personal email or other details on this website. They have been given to him by the estate manager at Easton…Continue
Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Barry Taylor Sep 4.
Bridge sign 3 Replies
An East and West Junction and Stratford-On-Avon, Towcester and Midland Junction Railways bridge weight notice, cast iron, 16½"x11¾", the front repainted. As is usual, the company title has been altered to Stratford-On-Avon and Midland Junction…Continue
Started by Graham Ward. Last reply by Russ Firth Jun 1.
SMJ photos
Towcester's first layout. - Any ideas?
Just sitting here looking at a picture (of an old postcard in a book) of Towcester and it is mentioning the dates of the lines opening and it got me wondering, What was the layout at Towcester before the lines to Banbury and Stratford were added? Does anyone know? There were some 6 years where it was the terminus from for the Blisworth line before the others arrived in 1872 & 1873 respectfully.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on
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Hi Gary
The best answer is to get a copy of R A Cooke's book on the Track Layout Diagrams of the Great Western Railway and Western Region - Part 29 - SMJR. This covers all the SMJ lines and not just the ones that came into the Western Region of BR later on.
I think that its distributed by Black Dwarf / Lightmoor Press these days, but might be out of print by now.
It includes a plan of Towcester in 1871, then for 1900, 1911, and 1957 with all sorts of notes and dates re: additions and closures. I have a feeling that an updated edition is due to be published some time, but it might still be around in some railway booksellers, and does turn up on Ebay etc.
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Permalink Reply by Gary on
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Brilliant Barry,
Much obliged. I will go have a hunt for it.
No joy yet...
ATVB
G
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Good luck - I haven't seen a copy for a while. Think the last time was in one of the Ian Allan bookshops, maybe Birmingham.
Try to get a copy of the latest version though - it was originally done in the 70's with a spiral binding, but the reprint of the 1990's has quite a few more pages (therefore much updated) and stapled binding and glossy cover.
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I can live in hope...
May have to see if the library have a copy in the meantime.
Cheers & have a great weekend
G
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Hi again Gary
In case you're interested, I've just received one of my regular e-mails from a railway book dealer, and they have a copy of the first edition (1975) of the SMJ track plan book for £8 +p&p.
The Towcester section is a bit more extensive in the later edition, but if you want one for Xmas.........!
Have a look at www.batterdalebooks.co.uk and go into latest arrivals - it's there under R A Cooke etc
Regards
B
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Permalink Reply by Simon Dunkley on
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Try this site: http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html
Enter the coordinates 468884 and 249416.
Select the 1:2,500 scale map for the 1860s.
Spend a very enjoyable few hors looking at other SMJ stations over time...
Simon
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