‘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 main line.c.1960
Add a Comment
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Comment by adrian vaughan on November 14, 2009 at 15:24
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Hello Dick,
Thanks very much for your comments. I read them with interest. from L&BR to 1950, amazingly well built I think. Yes there are quite a lot of people around but I think they must have been trespassers. We wandered about as and when we pleased in those days and kept a look out.
Adrian.
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Comment by Dick Bodily on November 14, 2009 at 14:44
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This was taken looking north from the Robert Stephenson bridge over the Grand Union Canal. It looks like some reballasting has been done on the Down main line. The photographer must have been standing on the WCML but nothing is pegged. Perhaps some engineering occupation is ongoing as other people can be seen strolling on the tracks. The SMJ station is immediately left of the telegraph poleunder the left hand (Down) signal gantry. The water tower also designed by Stephenson was in L&BR times originally fed from 'the cut'. How long this continued for I've no idea, perhaps David Blagrove would know.
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