‘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"
.
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
SMJ Line/LMS Era Tickets
Add a Comment
-
Comment by alwyn sparrow on March 16, 2013 at 11:39
-
My opinion on the Blakesley ticket is that it was unissued then clipped to prevent use after withdrawal hence no destination which would be handwritten in the foreign section. Just my theory Dick. Foreign meaning other railway company.
Alwyn.
-
Comment by Si Donal on March 16, 2013 at 11:31
-
I cannot be sure Dick, but I believe that enthusiasts could buy any tickets from a station and the staff would clip them as proof that they had been sold. If the stations were closed or closing, I'm not sure how accurate the ticket returns to Euston were or whether the money reached the bank! That's how come there are so many Dog Tickets available! This is based upon an article I read about an enthusiast special on the Melton Mowbray line. As to foreign, I guess it was a first class ticket from Blakesley to any non LMS station. It's number 29 and I cannot think that there would have been much call for them at all! I am also fairly certain that the SMJ in the LMS period was latterly 3rd class only!
-
Comment by Dick Bodily on March 16, 2013 at 11:12
-
Si
It's weird that the Blakesley ticket has been used and clipped but there is no starting point station named on it! What does (Foreign) indicate, I wonder? Also I wonder who would have been travelling First Class to Blakesley, perhaps a visitor to the Hall, although CWB himself would have been the late CWB by LMS days.
Dick
© 2026 Created by Andy Thompson.
Powered by
You need to be a member of The SMJ Society to add comments!
Join The SMJ Society