‘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
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.
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, 2025.
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, 2025.
SMJ photos
Ravenstone Wood Junction
Now we are looking east at Ravenstone Wood Junction. Demolition trans have brightened up the rusty tracks. At this time they were running beyond Turvey. The signal optimistically points upwards but the only trains are the thrice-weekly demolition and recovery trains, headed by a pair of Sulzer Type 2 diesels.
Albums: SMJ 1964 onwards
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Comment by Andy Thompson on June 3, 2011 at 21:09
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John. I popped over to Horton to see Norman Oldfield at Piddington station - know him? Andy
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Comment by John Evans on June 2, 2011 at 16:55
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My last house in the UK was at Horton, so I walked down to where the junction used to be. As you say, it had all changed. On my Flickr site I am posting pictures of the demolition trains.
www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses - SETS - DIESELS IN THE 1960s
I am going to the UK in December so I'll start looking at my 2500 color slides to find some SMJ stuff. These Ravenstone Wood pictures had never been printed, but are in my negative file which I have in the US - I've just bought a slide/negative scanner and there may be more SMJ stuff among the negatives. If so, I'll load it up. John
John
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I've walked down here John from Piddington station with Gary! Ravenstone Wood is not quite as your fab images portray! Andy
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