‘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"
.
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
Wheldons Sidings - Richard Thomas's sidings
Track Layout Plans Diagrams Section 29 With great thanks to R.A. Cooke.
Albums: Gayton Farm - Maps
Location: Gayton, Blisworth, Northamptonshire
Add a Comment
-
Comment by Andy Thompson on November 1, 2010 at 12:47
-
Further down from bridge 2 was Richard Thomas's sidings. The sidings acted as a transshipment point for quarrying materials from, amongst other places, Gatyon Wood Farm quarries. Note the branch running to bottom left. This branch ran up hill and through a cutting to the the concrete over-bridge under the Blisworth/Gayton road.
At the point where the branch joins the SMJ and opposite was (and still is)bridge 1A. My belief is this bridge connected the quarrying to the north of the Richard Thomas's sidings to the sidings itself for transshipment and probably had something to do with the Wheldon sidings.
Can you help?
Andy
© 2026 Created by Andy Thompson.
Powered by
You need to be a member of The SMJ Society to add comments!
Join The SMJ Society