‘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

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Featured Blog Posts (6)

Upcoming 150 Year Anniversary of opening of Blisworth-Towcester line.

Bit of advance notice, but on April 30th 2016, it will be 150 years since the opening of Blisworth - Towcester line.

Surely worth a celebration of some sort / get together at the Blisworth/Towcester end?

Graham Campion

Added by GRAHAM CAMPION on March 4, 2015 at 20:21 — 5 Comments

Locomotives at Towcester, 1960-1963

Unidentified B.R. Standard 75xxx was in fact Leicester Midland's 75060. (Photo has been found!).

Further locomotives I managed a footplate ride on at Towcester around 1960/1, were 44239, 44522 and 44535. (Old notebook located).

Added by Graham Campion on May 8, 2014 at 7:59 — No Comments

Winter Walks

I've been in touch with forum member Gary who organised last winter's Grand tour. I've suggested we could complete it this winter with the addition of some other sites with S.M.J. 

connections. I've no doubt Gary will post details in due course.

Alwyn.

Added by alwyn sparrow on September 3, 2011 at 19:17 — No Comments

Ettington signal arm

Whilst reading John Evans blog about finding signal arms at Woodford Halse it reminded me of the Ettington one I have.11B signal came off the only bracket signal at Ettington and was used when Ettington signal box was switched out to allow through running towards Clifford sidings using the long section token (Clifford sidings-Kineton). The arm is wooden and well well be one of the original R.S.C. arms.

Added by alwyn sparrow on March 27, 2011 at 14:28 — No Comments

Line tour thoughts.

I'd know I put some of this on the discussion thread but once again I would just like to thank my fellow "Tourists" for yet another enjoyable day out and to appologise for the 5 minute walk that was just a little longer and involved a bit of a backtrack (no pun intended).

 

Just in case anyone is wondering; we have removed nothing that we have found during our tours to date (save a singular lump of coal) only taking photos of any artifacts in situ as we…

Continue

Added by Gary on February 28, 2011 at 22:00 — 3 Comments

Todays tour

Thanks Gary for organising another interesting day out despite the rain.  Same good company as usual. I think it gets better each trip!

Alwyn. 

Added by alwyn sparrow on February 26, 2011 at 20:08 — 1 Comment

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