‘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
BRIDGE 14 POST AT TOWCESTER.
Concrete post near Bridge 14 over the River Tove. This would have held the cast iron Bridge number plate. Now leaning substantially, due to erosion of the embankment at this point. See previous photo of Bridge 12 with the Bridge number plate in LMS days.
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Comment by NIGEL on March 17, 2018 at 13:18
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What's left of the mounting holes are on 15.5 inch centres, as shown below.
As it happens, my LMS Bridge plate no. 17 has holes on 15.5 inch centres.
So why did they deem it necessary to have stand alone concrete posts for these bridge plates at this point, i.e. on Bridges 12 & 14 in Towcester? Are there any other bridges on the line that would have had these posts?
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The bolt hole of the left hand arm of the concrete post, is show in the photo below.
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Yes Dick, it was. When I get time I will upload a close up photo showing the bolt holes.
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Comment by Dick Bodily on March 3, 2018 at 12:03
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What's interesting about this apart from the fact that it still stands is that there are no bolt holes apparent in the photo image, was it once wider?
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