‘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 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.
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
An Alphabetical List of SMJ Nicknames
(NB) The names in brackets refer to the person who supplied the info.
Banana Line - referring to Towcester - Ravenswood Junction section (Barry Taylor)
Bread and Herring - referring to Towcester - Ravenswood Junction
section (Robin Cullup / Andrew Smith)
Bread and Scrape - referring to Towcester - Ravenstone Junction section (David
Blagrove)
Crab and Winkle - referring to the Towcester to Cockley Brake Junction section and used by Bletchley MPD staff who worked past Cockley Brake en route from Verney Junction to Banbury. (Dick Bodily)
Dilly Dally - used by Northampton MPD staff (Dick Bodily)
Drum & Monkey - mentioned in a Tom Rolt book (Nigel Furness)
Erratic and Wandering Journey - E and WJR section generally (Gary)
Fig and Orange- mentioned in a Tom Rolt book (Nigel Furness)
Linger and Die - used at Roade ( Nigel Furness)
Nibble - used by Woodford Halse MPD staff to refer to the SMJ generally, and also sometimes to the Woodford West Junction. - Woodford 'North Junction' Curve (Clive
Boardman / Dick Bodily)
Nibble and Clink - referring to the N and B section at Helmdon (Si Donal)
Save Me Jesus - around Blakesley and Towcester (David Guest)
Scratter - referring to Towcester - Ravenswood Junction section (Andrew Smith/ David Blagrove/Nigel Furness)
Slow, Miserable and Jolty - around Towcester (Robert Stephens)
Slow, Miserable and Jolting - around Blakesley (Dick Bodily)
Slow, Moulding and Joulting - around Stratford (Adrian Vaughan / Peter
Lewis)
Slow, Mournful Journey - around Stratford (John Jennings)
Smudge - around Stratford (John Jennings)
Strawberry and Marrow Jam - around Blisworth and Blakesley (Dick Bodily / George Coles)
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Comment by Dick Bodily on February 10, 2012 at 11:37
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This page and books page both updated 10-2-12 Dick Bodily
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