‘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"

Welcome to
The SMJ Society

Or sign in with:

SMJ Forum

National Archives, Donation and Kineton Photograph

Not sure if others are aware of the significant amount of documents held by the National Archives on the SMJ. The collection consists mainly of Directors Minutes etc. There is also a collection of early 20th C timetables, handbills etc. which I have…Continue

Started by Dave Hayward on Sunday.

Model Railways

HiI'm selling my collection of SMJR related 00 gauge modelsIf of interest for any of you please contact me by mail atjfreuville@gmail.comand I will send you the list and photosKind regardsJackContinue

Started by Jack Freuville Feb 23.

BLAKESLEY and an SMJ stamp

This item has come up in an auction recently and is a glimpse of the practice of carrying mail by train. Apart from the SMJ…Continue

Started by Graham Ward Nov 14, 2025.

Further about Ravenstone Wood Junction 1 Reply

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. Last reply by Barry Taylor Oct 23, 2025.

SMJ photos

Woodford - Byfield passenger closure date

I've seen different sources quoting two dates in May 1948 for the withdrawal of the LNER service between Woodford and Byfield: both were Mondays: 3 and 31 May.

Certainly, 31 May 1948 was the start date for the first timetables under the BR regime and that would be entirely plausible. And on the other hand, 3 May could simply be a typo with the figure 1 (of 31) missing.

Can anyone point me to a definitive source which can resolve the query, please?

Richard Maund

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robin Cullup on December 22, 2015 at 12:35

The Riley/Simpson book "A History of the SMJ etc" gives a date of 31st May 1948 - i.e. "The north curve to Woodford.....did not close to passenger trains until May 31, 1948". I cannot find any reference to this closure in Arthur Jordan's book.

Hope this helps.

Robin Cullup

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richard Maund on December 22, 2015 at 12:52

The late Charles Clinker's 1960 compilation, The Railways of Northamptonshire gives 31 May 1948 as the date. That - taken with the fact that it was the timetable change date - leads me to think it is the correct date. But if anyone comes up with any contrary evidence I would be interested to hear.....

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on December 22, 2015 at 13:50

I have a couple of photos of a 3F 0-6-0 and train at Woodford from the Stephenson Loco Society archives, and they are dated 15th May 1948 - so if these are correct, then the 31st seems to be right.