‘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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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 Apr 26.

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

Stoke Bruerne

Stoke Bruerne
Salcey Forest
Ravenstone Wood

Stoke Bruerne station opened to passengers in December 1892 and closed in March 1893. There was one other station on the line from Towcester to Olney, Salcey Forest, which was literally in the
middle of nowhere. A train and loco were hired from the Midland Railway at Bedford to operate the Olney to Towcester service for £500.00 per quarter. At the end of the first quarter passenger
receipts averaged £5, so the Company gave it up as a bad job.

The station was however used by specials, such as Sunday School outings, and also specials to Towcester for the Easter Monday race meetings from London (St Pancras) via Bedford, plus troop trains in both World Wars. Goods traffic of farming supplies (fertilisers etc) and coal survived until 1953

Station Masters House - Stoke Bruerne

Find more photos like this on "The Unofficial SMJ Society" at www.smj.me