‘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
EHLR C. 1925
Land use map around Edge Hill C.1925, showing the connection of the E.H.L.R. with the S.M.J.R. at Burton Dassett. Industrial activity (ironstone mining) is shown in red at Burton Dassett hills
Add a Comment
-
Comment by alwyn sparrow on April 2, 2013 at 8:03
-
For anybody with a keen interest in the E.H.L.R. here is an interesting link
http://www.freewebs.com/simpkinshorridge/History/Edge%20Hill%20Ligh...
-
Comment by NIGEL on April 1, 2013 at 20:38
-
E.H.L.R. track chair - Nice find ! Interesting to note that on this land use map there is no sign of the aerial ropeway from Burton Hills to the S.M.J.R platform at Burton Dassett. Tonks states it was in use until approx. 1921 and final removal of equipment 1929 onwards. Jim Goodman's plan of Burton Dassett junction shows both the E.H.L.R. and the aerial ropeway, so presumably must date to early to min 1920's ?
-
-
Here is a rail chair I picked up at the top of the E.H.L.R. circa 1970. At that time there was still a considerable amount of abandoned equipment lying around like ironstone trucks, rail chairs ect.this was around the site of the wheel pits.
-
-
Thanks, I have corrected caption.
-
-
The connection was at Burton Dasset looking west off the where the B4100 crossed the S.M.J.R on the old road alignment.I have photograph taken from road bridge showing original connection to E.H.L.R..
© 2026 Created by Andy Thompson.
Powered by
You need to be a member of The SMJ Society to add comments!
Join The SMJ Society