‘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
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.
Bridge sign 3 Replies
An East and West Junction and Stratford-On-Avon, Towcester and Midland Junction Railways bridge weight notice, cast iron, 16½"x11¾", the front repainted. As is usual, the company title has been altered to Stratford-On-Avon and Midland Junction…Continue
Started by Graham Ward. Last reply by Russ Firth Jun 1.
SMJ Postage stamps 1911 and 1924
A couple of items recently up for auction.GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY AND STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & MIDLAND JUNCTION: 6…Continue
Started by Graham Ward May 21.
More building at Towcester 3 Replies
I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue
Tags: Towcester
Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by John Evans Apr 19.
SMJ photos
Line to Banbury looking towards Farthinghoe
Add a Comment
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Comment by alwyn sparrow on November 26, 2011 at 5:23
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Apparently there was a serious explosion on the site in 1917 in which several workers were seriously injured.There is a short section about this former munitions site in Bill Simpsons
book" The Banbury to Verney Junction Branch".
Alwyn.
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Comment by Gary on November 25, 2011 at 13:54
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I pass it every day going to work but this was first time I could get a photo.
As you know Si, the remains of the munition storage are still visible to the North of the formation
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Comment by Si Donal on November 25, 2011 at 13:45
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A very familiar view to me. There was a WW1 Ministry of Munitions shell filling factory on this /SMJ joint line. When the M40 was built a few old shell cases were found. In WW2 the area was used for military training and an old conventor tank was placed here as a target. The munitions factory had a rail connection to the LNWR Banbury - Cockley Brake Junction line. This had it's own loco with a spark arrester. I wonder how many trucks loaded with filled shells went to their destination via Towcester/Blisworth as an alternative to gaining the LNWR mainline at Bletchley via Buckingham/Verney Junction.
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