‘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
Six Counties Railtour at Kineton from new book
Late snow is still lying on Sunday 7 March 1965 as two ex Southern Railway locomotives, Richard Maunsell designed U class 2-6-0 31639 leading Oliver Bulleid Q1 class 0-6-0 33006, running along the Stratford upon Avon and Midland Junction line on the Home Counties Railway Society “Six Counties Railtour” are seen from the B4451 Kineton to Southam road bridge. The tour ran from Paddington to Fenny Compton, then along the SMJ to Stratford-upon-Avon and on to Wellingborough via Leamington Spa, Rugby and Northampton. It returned to Paddington via Bedford, Bletchley, Bicester and Oxford. From the new book "Way Down South: Southern Steam in the Sixties”. Terence Dorrity. Published by Irwell Press. https://www.irwellpress.com/acatalog/SOUTHERN_RAILWAY.html
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