‘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
A scene on the SMJ at Xmas.
Add a Comment
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Comment by NIGEL on January 1, 2013 at 16:39
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Richard Woods is absolutely right ..it is on the Ravenstone Wood line past Showsley pits looking east towards Stoke Bruerne, you have to make a slight detour here then the line runs out near to bridge 154. See map below for more info / detail.
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Comment by Richard Woods on January 1, 2013 at 16:15
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This photo is along the Olney Branch near Showsley, just off the Showsley Road there is the Permanent Way hut with a bridge, follow the track bed east, along the embankment past the old quarry pit and through, where you come across a second bridge and the embankment quickly turns to a cutting through a forest. Keep following the track bed for about 200 yards, there is a discarded rail on the left of the track bed along here. The track bed comes to an abrupt halt courtesy of a pine tree plantation, where THIS photograph is taken.
Richard Woods
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Not directly relevant but I remember a walk by the Northampton RCTS in the 1970s. It started at the site of the bridge over the Quinton to Salcey Forest road and went east along the trackbed. I don't recall it getting as far as the main road bridge. I seem to remember that the platform of Salcey Forest station was still there but nothing else.
Interesting about the old main road. Could this have any bearing on the MR station being called Piddington - which always seemed a bit odd?
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Not directly relevant but I remember a walk by the Northampton RCTS in the 1970s. It started at the site of the bridge over the Quinton to Salcey Forest road and went east along the trackbed. I don't recall it getting as far as the main road bridge. I seem to remember that the platform of Salcey Forest station was still there but nothing else.
Interesting about the old main road. Could this have any bearing on the MR station being called Piddington - which always seemed a bit odd?
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Not directly relevant but I remember a walk by the Northampton RCTS in the 1970s. It started at the site of the bridge over the Quinton to Salcey Forest road and went east along the trackbed. I don't recall it getting as far as the main road bridge. I seem to remember that the platform of Salcey Forest station was still there but nothing else.
Interesting about the old main road. Could this have any bearing on the MR station being called Piddington - which always seemed a bit odd?
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Sorry Andy, it is not Salcey Forest station - but you are on the " right track " !!!!
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Comment by Andy Thompson on December 31, 2012 at 20:10
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NOT ONE SINGLE GUESS!!!
WHERE ARE ALL THE SMJ LINE WALKERS ???
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Ian
Thanks for the update. Can you give us (non-local) folk a little more info? I always had it as one third along the trackbed in your screen grab from the left, the worn track around the field being the access.
Andy
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