‘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
Model Railways
HiI'm selling my collection of SMJR related 00 gauge modelsIf of interest for any of you please contact me by mail atjfreuville@gmail.comand I will send you the list and photosKind regardsJackContinue
Started by Jack Freuville Feb 23.
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 photos
BRICKLAYING GANG AT BLAKESLEY STATION.
Mobile bricklaying gang on Blakesley station platform, except they are not laying bricks but replacing the slabs.
Signal box in background, so looking towards Towcester. Frank Skears, part of mobile railway bricklaying gang from Towcester, on right hand side. Photo taken in 1951/2.
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Comment by Barry Taylor on May 6, 2015 at 18:07
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If that was taken in 1951/2 - and no reason to doubt it - isn't that just typical of the railways around that time?
No more than a year or so to go to closure to passengers, and they are renewing the platforms!!
I wonder if that was all part of the plan in terms of expenditure versus income, to justify withdrawal of the services?
Lovely set of photos though - an aspect of the railways that was often overlooked.
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