‘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
Track plans Olney branch (M Christensen)
Add a Comment
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Comment by Jim Goodman on March 19, 2013 at 22:45
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Hi Richard,
I believe it is available via amazon for about £22, there is a copy on abebooks that looks good value http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=9787443806&s...
Si, I quite agree with you that traffic would never of been busy enough to have two trains passing on this section. One can only think they were wildly optimistic in their traffic expectations. Still, it must have been a wonderful job - being the signalman at Salcey Forest!
Jim.
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Comment by Si Donal on March 19, 2013 at 19:46
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The Board of Trade Inspection of the line at the opening would indicate whether these had or needed to be provided. I wonder if there is one in the National Archive? Stoke Bruerne and Salcey Forest sidings were once fed from loops but even then the small signal cabin's 12 levers would have been adequate for starter signals and homes. I imagine that the distants would be fixed. I cannot imagine the traffic requirement ever required two trains to pass on this section. The SMJ was quite fond of long block sections.
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Comment by Richard Woods on March 19, 2013 at 18:24
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Thanks for the information. Where is it possible to obtain a copy of this book, or is it on sale on Amazon or somewhere?
Richard
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There are signals indicated on the plan in Arthur Jordan's book on page 72 but nothing in the text. In M Christensen's book it only mentions that "the signal boxes at Stoke Bruern and Salcey Forest, each of 12 levers, were closed on 30th Sept 1912". In my opinion 12 levers would be sufficient for a distant, home and starter each way and for the points and locking for the siding, though that's just my opinion and not fact. Hope this helps.
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Even though the map doesn't show any, were there any signals around the Stoke Bruerne Station area?
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