‘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
Train staff Broom - Stratford rear
These are examples of the train staffs that were in use for the sections named from 1942 until the closure of the former ER&SJR section in 1960. Under normal "long and short" single line regulations only one type could be in use at any time with the instruments electrically locked once any one staff had been issued. The key formed at the end of the Broom East staff was to unlock the groundframes at Binton and Bidford. Both of these frames had facing point locks as when the installation was commisioned the section was still a passenger carrying line. The staffs and their instruments were products of the Railway Signal Company of Liverpool who were the original signal supplier to the E&WJR.
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Comment by Andy Thompson on July 21, 2011 at 19:45
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Thanks for that John. I was thinking about the conversation about a whack round the head with one! Andy
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Comment by John Jennings on July 21, 2011 at 8:13
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Andy
The Broom North staff is 29.5cms overall and the Broom East staff is 27.5 cms overall. The square brass plate carrying the section information is 6 x 6cms.
John
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Thanks for putting these up on the site John. What size are they? Andy
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