‘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
Blisworth Mines
Blisworth Mines were busy right up to their closure. The engines got gradually more and more grubby, but it was a last piece of SMJ action in our area.The mines were operated by Richard Thomas and Baldwins, which became part of British Steel in 1967, Blisworth closed in September 1967 but was worth visiting right up to the end. The end of Blisworth Mines led to the closure of the last part of the SMJ east of Fenny Compton on September 30 1967.Despite visiting it many times, and always getting a warm welcome, I did not take enough pictures - although for safety reasons they were not keen on my visiting the quarry area.(I was 19 at the time).
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Comment by Andy Thompson on November 1, 2010 at 20:11
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Can't wait John!!
Andy
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Comment by John Evans on November 1, 2010 at 17:33
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Hey, it's all still there! Can't wait to load my color pictures I have stored back at home in the UK. We spent too many useless hours at quarries in the Northampton and Wellingborough areas, which totally puzzled my father.
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Go to http://thesmjr.ning.com/photo/albums/gayton-wood-farm for more
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