‘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
Towcester. Track layout to the east including Easton Neston Quarries
Add a Comment
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Comment by Richard Woods on March 10, 2013 at 12:23
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Thanks, i'll have a look!
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Comment by NIGEL on March 10, 2013 at 8:55
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I have recently posted some photos of this junction site and there is still an old concrete signal post laying on the old track bed very near to this junction. Look under "Lloyds siding" for the photos. The remains of the old iron works site and the brick field and kilns site are still there, close by.
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Interesting. I was wondering about this junction, as i'm creating the route for Railworks. Towcester - Ravenstone Wood - Olney. Including the Blisworth Branch and a bonus section between Ravenstone Wood and Piddington Stations. All intermediate stations, bridges ect are included.
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There certainly was a junction here, and the line crossed the Tiffield road on the level. Close by there was an iron works and brickyard with kilns. This siding went all the way to the brick works at Tiffield, and the clay pits and ironstone workings at Showsley and Easton Neston. This junction had it's own signal box and there were sidings off this to the iron works. When the Ravenstone Wood junction line from Towcester was built in 1891, a connection was put in at Easton Neston to the brick yards, and the junction at A to these was dismantled. See map below.
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Was there a junction with point A and the Blisworth line at any pointin time?
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