‘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
Woodford Halse
Add a Comment
-
Comment by les gee on November 27, 2012 at 19:37
-
Corrected it now
-
-
Thanks for the comments Dick, have to say sorry and i have labelled this picture wrong, the track to the left is going to Byfield and is therefore the SMJ and the GC is on the right. The earthworks in the background would become Woodford Station.
-
Comment by Dick Bodily on November 27, 2012 at 12:35
-
Some great old pictures here, Les. At first I was sure this was looking towards Woodford station near Woodford 'North' Junction and that the wagons were on the GC and the curve the north spur from the GC to the E&WJR, but I'm not now 100% sure . One thing for sure is that 'our' line would have been the E&WJR at the time. Could this possibly be looking towards where bridge 37A is going to be built and the line coming in from the left the GC and the line on the right the soon to be abandoned GC to E&WJR south spur? Having studied John Cosford's pictures of the Woodford 'North' junction taken in the 60s, I am more inclined to think that my original view is correct. Apart from the alignment and embankments which fit this theory, the strangely shaped tree on the left of your picture would seem to appear slightly bigger and partially grown out next to a new tree in John's much later views.
Picture Copyright John Cosford
© 2026 Created by Andy Thompson.
Powered by
You need to be a member of The SMJ Society to add comments!
Join The SMJ Society