‘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
National Archives, Donation and Kineton Photograph
Not sure if others are aware of the significant amount of documents held by the National Archives on the SMJ. The collection consists mainly of Directors Minutes etc. There is also a collection of early 20th C timetables, handbills etc. which I have…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward Apr 26.
Model Railways
HiI'm selling my collection of SMJR related 00 gauge modelsIf of interest for any of you please contact me by mail atjfreuville@gmail.comand I will send you the list and photosKind regardsJackContinue
Started by Jack Freuville Feb 23.
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.
SMJ photos
Blisworth signal and Bridge No 1
Another photo that for some reason I never printed, but I now have a negative scanner.It was taken on July 22 1965, when we walked from Ravenstone-Towcester-Blisworth. The field to the left of the signal was a haven for spotters in the '50s, with the West Coast main line one side and the SMJ on the other.(On one amazing day, we "copped" No 46102 Black Watch. But that's another story...)
Albums: SMJ 1964 onwards
Add a Comment
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Comment by Dick Bodily on February 16, 2012 at 19:38
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I never saw 46102 'Black Watch' despite spending many days at Banburylane 46121 (another Scotch engine) was also difficult, but it was 46112 'Sherwood Forester' that was regarded as almost mythical amongst the Banburylane regulars. One lad claimed he had seen it at Wellingborough but everyone else seemed to have failed to see it on trips to the Midland main line. I think in retrospect most of these spotters tended not to visit the Midland line too often as there were more exciting namers to be seen at Banbury, Peterborough or Sandy if you fancied a day away from the West Coast. I finally caught up with it at Annesley whn it was transferred to the GC line.
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Comment by John Whitehead on June 23, 2011 at 14:46
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I've just picked this up. Spotting 46102 Black Watch at Blisworth was rare (but I've spotted it too). As a lad in the late 1940s and 50s I used to help at various signalboxes including Banbury Lane, Heyford, Gayton and Blisworth. Read my memories at
http://www.blisworth.org.uk/images/Railways/Main-signalbox.htm. Happy days!
John Whitehead
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Comment by Andy Thompson on June 21, 2011 at 19:40
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Thant's fab John - you have over a hundred SMj members with their tongues on the floor and their tails wagging in anticipation! Andy
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Comment by John Evans on June 19, 2011 at 16:50
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Hi Andy
No fear - I enjoy sharing what I have, if it is interesting to others. I am currently going thru about 800 negatives and finding some I never printed (lack of cash as a teenager!)
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John we are enjoying your images very much and thank you for your input! I guess you could put together your very own SMJ site!! (please dont by the way!)
Andy
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