‘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
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.
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 photos
Demolition of Towcester Signal box (Ron Fisher)
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Comment by Andy Thompson on July 2, 2009 at 16:30
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Ron says about theses images
"I discovered the S.M.J. by accident whilst investigating some of the ironstone lines still operating in that area in the early to mid-sixties. Together with a group of friends I used to go out to Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas looking for steam on the ironstone lines and the Great Central, and discovered the S.M.J. in the process!
It was clear that a line like that could not last for much longer, so we tried to get as many pictures of it as possible while we still could. Even though we knew that the end was inevitable, it was still sad when it came. I paid a last visit in July, 1965 after final closure had taken place and the sight of the half demolished signal box at Towcester has haunted me ever since".
© 2026 Created by Andy Thompson.
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