‘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
3474 on Race Special near Roade
A photograph on the section between Ravenstone Wood and Towcester - this is a shot by J E Kite taken near Roade, probably from the bridge near the white water tower with the Hartwell road bridge in the background. It is a Towcester Races special (St Pancras to Towcester) and is almost certainly on an Easter Monday. The loco is "3F" 3424 which was based at Leicester and Wigston in the late 1920s/early 1930s.
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Comment by Robin Cullup on September 9, 2010 at 11:44
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Correction - the loco is 3474, not 3424 as I originally thought. This is more likely as 3474 was a Bedford engine for much of its life and certainly at this time - Easter Monday 1930 according to one informant. The engine lasted until March 1961, and no doubt worked over this section many times from Bedford.
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Comment by Andy Thompson on September 2, 2010 at 21:00
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Very nice Robin! Andy
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