‘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
BR Sulzer Type 2 No D5058
I got to ride in the cab of the demolition train on the Northampton-Bedford branch, hauled by a pair of Sulzer Type 2s. Here we see the train stopped at Ravenstone Wood Junction in July 1967. I can't recall why we halted here. Presumably my old pal Bryan still has the sign from Ravenstone Wood Junction signal box, which he "inherited" around this time. The train then went on to Olney, where we picked up some wagons full of rails and sleepers, returning to Northampton Bridge Street yard.
Albums: SMJ 1964 onwards
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Comment by John Evans on November 19, 2010 at 17:12
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His name was Bryan Jeyes and we went to college together in Northampton. I lost touch with him in the 1970s when things like marriage intervened. He must have as many SMJ pictures as me, as we walked all the system together. I am trying to locate him through his father, who very occasionally visits my brother's shop in Northampton. Sadly, he has not been in recently and he may have passed on as he would be in his 80s now, at least. Bryan would love all this SMJ stuff. His father owned a Bedford Utilabrake, perfect for "spares recovery transportation". That means nicking signals, signs and other railway junk!
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Comment by Andy Thompson on November 19, 2010 at 7:18
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That's not Bryan 'C' is it John? Andy
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