‘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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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 yesterday.

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

What was left????

In the summer of 1988 I was with my parents in Straford-upon-Avon. We were walking south along the east bank of the Avon when we came across an old railway bridge across the river. My father wanted to go up the embankment to explore, but my mother's arthritis meant she wouldn't have been able to. So we didn't.

Now that I know what that bridge was, and what used to be at the other end of the bridge I am disappointed that we didn't explore. And that was enhanced the first time I drove along the bypass in subsequent years and noticed the platform edge that still exists.

So my question is, what would we have seen in 1988 if we had climbed up onto the bridge and headed over the river. Maps suggest not a lot, so I suspect the platforms edges and overgrown platform surfaces and overgrown track bed. Maps seem to show that there were no buildings left.

Was there a path we could have used, or was the route too overgrown?

Are there any photos of the station then?

I wonder if the council have any archives, in particular, pre-bypass photos, acquired during the bypass planning stages.

Can you help put my disappointment to bed?

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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on August 25, 2014 at 15:52

Hi Kevin

The attached pic will give you a feel for what you would have seen. I took it in July 1989, and the print has suffered a bit over the intervening years, but it shows a view west from track level with the platforms still in place - and from my notes, that was about all that was left.

House building had started, and was spreading over the site of the station buildings and approach road, but no sign of the bypass yet.