‘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
Model Railways
HiI'm selling my collection of SMJR related 00 gauge modelsIf of interest for any of you please contact me by mail atjfreuville@gmail.comand I will send you the list and photosKind regardsJackContinue
Started by Jack Freuville 1 hour ago.
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 photos
Towcester
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Comment by Tony Newman on March 15, 2020 at 16:54
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Also nice.
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Comment by adrian vaughan on September 11, 2009 at 12:12
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You are right, Gary. Back in 1961 I visited FOSS CROSS station, Midland & SOuth Western Junction Railway, GWR from 1923. 800feet up on the Cotswolds. It was like a ghost place. Wind singing in the wires, not a sul about, box switched out.......
I have often wondered about the peace and tranquility of COCKLEY BRAKE Jc. What a place to be paid to work in!
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Comment by Gary on September 11, 2009 at 12:08
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I think the atmosphere of the pictures of Towcester (and of the Terriers) is due to the lack of people and apparent movement and trains!
For such a large complex it seems permanently asleep.
Makes it easier for modellers though as they can get clear views of the details.
I wonder if there are any photos of the yard from the "non-station" side exist?
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I would suppose thaqt these two pictures are just like the others. The engines were sort of rooted to the spot -- although more daring photographers might have removed the tarpaulins that covered them. It's like the Towcester picture. The view is the sort of obvious one so two people could easily take the same picture if they went there within a day or two of each other. I'll go and look out some negatives.
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If you have more please put them up. I enjoy seeing the station and the line which has interested me for 20+ years.
I have seen very few pictures of the Terriers other than those published - I can think of only about 4 maybe 5 photos. It is amazing that they survived until after the war before being cut up (according to what I have read).
ATVB
G
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The Coronation day photo backs up the Oakwood information with the waiting roon door arrangement so certainly pre March 1952.
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It s all beyond me Gary. I find the Towcester atmos. wonderful.
I wonder if I ought to put in some more views of SMJ? West of Towcester.
What about the Edgehill Terriers laid up in the 1930s? Have other pics of these surfaced?
Adrian
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This photo dates to before 1958 as the waiting room is still there.
There is a photo in the Middleton Press book that shows the island platform with Hawkseye & Totem signs dated "around 1950". This also has the Hawkseye as being dark in colour.
Further to this there is a shot dated "29th June 1951" showing the 4:45 Banbury to Blisworth service and the Totem is gone and the Hawkseye is now a light colour as in this shot.
However....
In the Oakwood Press N&BJR book there is a photo dated 15 March 1952 with the dark Hawkseye with additional Totem and the waiting room has a single door and the double doors as seen here...
Now having muddied the waters somewhat...
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