‘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
Fenny Compton
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Comment by Robin Cullup on December 5, 2009 at 12:36
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The view of "4F" No. 44606 is one that I purchased many years ago in Chesterfield. The photographer was E E Smith. This is an interesting photograph on a number of counts. The viewer can compare the two styles of lower quadrant distant signal - one of MR pattern (and fixed), and the other a GW example. No. 44606 was the final "4F" built, to traffic in 1941, having been built at Derby. It was allocated to Stratford-on-Avon shed (21D) for some years up to January 1952, and this probably dates the photograph to the late 1940s/early 1950s. From the shadows the time is mid-afternoon, which might help to identify the working, and it looks as if the May blossom might be out on the lineside bushes. Has it come onto the SMJ from Woodford Halse or is it a train from Ravenstone Wood?
The consist in the train is of interest with a number of containers in various wagons, and the length is similar to the trains I saw on the Ravenstone Wood - Towcester section. With this number of wagons this is a very "modellable" train. Further comments would oblige.
Robin Cullup
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