‘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
OCCUPANTS OF THE S.M.J.R. COTTAGES 1936
Taken from the 1936 directory for Residents of Blisworth Parish. The directory was lodged with the Station Master (L.M.S.) and would be used for forwarding inadequately addressed post.
It was not until 1952 that the houses acquired numbers!
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Comment by Andy Thompson on May 10, 2013 at 7:51
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Nigel
I'm bringing my Fred Chivers documents along tomorrow to the get together. Are you coming? Andy
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Comment by NIGEL on April 26, 2013 at 16:03
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Further info has come to light about the occupations of these residents.
W.G. DICKIN - WOLVERTON CARRIAGE & WAGON WORKS.
SAM HANCOX - SMJ ENGINE DRIVER.
C.H. HICKS - SIGNALMAN (GAYTON BOX MAIN LINE).
HARRY ROBSON - SMJ ENGINE DRIVER.
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Comment by Dick Bodily on April 24, 2013 at 19:01
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I don't think it was just the SMJ houses that didn't have numbers. In most South Northants villages there was no official numbering of houses until about that time. I remember either the Towcester RDC or Northants CC sending letters to every house in our village (Blakesley) around then telling people what number their house was going to be and how they had to supply the numbers themselves. Then the two Woolies in Northampton doing a roaring trade in screw on house numbers. We even had the name of our street changed without any consultation as well.
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