‘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
Hudswell Clarke No. 347 (1892) Byfield quarry 1957 corrected view
This is the right way round - the original I added was printed mirror image! The SMJ main line is the furthest track to the right.
Add a Comment
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Comment by Andy Thompson on August 15, 2011 at 10:28
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Well, glad to have rattled the old grey cells Barry! It's amazing how little is discernible in 2011. Without people who were there, no-one would ever know!!
Andy
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Comment by Barry Dunwoody on August 15, 2011 at 0:07
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Hi Andy,
Glad you asked the question about this photo. After studying the OS map and the plan of the quarry in 'Ironstone Tramways of the Midlands' (ITM), I discovered that I had printed it as a mirror image many years ago in our darkened bathroom! I have flipped it and added it the correct way round. I deleted the original which also deleted your comment - sorry!
If you look at the corrected image you can see Byfield church to the right. Behind the loco to the left is the smoke vent on top of the loco shed and to the left of that is the bridge which carried an unsurfaced track to Aston-le-Walls - known to locals as 'Stony Bump' - over the track between the quarry and the SMJ. I think the loco is standing on the points just above the word 'gate' on the ITM map of the quarry and the track furthest to the right is the SMJ main line.
Barry
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