‘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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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
Peter S Lewis's Comments
Comment Wall (103 comments)
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Does the Society exist purely in virtual space or does it ever have meetings or events? Are there any museums of collections holding SMJ ephemera and artefacts? Seems a shame that it's history and local importance is so little appreciated.
My interest is merely that I have lived in the area for 20 years, first near Edgehill, then Banbury and now in Brackley. I have worked in Stratford and Banbury and all that time been aware of crossing the route of the SMJ repeatedly and in various places as I go about my life! I have done a bit of exploring of what's left of the line over the years and managed to acquire one or two relevant books. When I came across your SMJ site it filled in many gaps in my understanding. My particular interest is railway signalling and I have found signalling diagrams for many but not all of the key SMJ locations in books and on-line. I was born after the line closed and cannot claim any particular connection to it nor offer any new info but am happy to be part of keeping its memory alive! Best wishes,
Paul
I was born in Percy road WH. My father worked in the loco shed and was heavily involved in breakdown cranes. I am a Driver and fireman at the GCC and regularly travel out with Oliver Cromwell on the mainline with 5305La.
As a lad I used to stay with relatives in Blakesley
I'm a member of the Leamington and Warwick Model Railway Society, which is based at Knightcote, not far north of Nirth End and Burton Dassert. I'm part of the N gauge group there who are currently planning our new layout, which is almost certain to be based on Kineton station.
Culworth station, which incidentally was only about half a mile from Moreton Pinkney, wouldn't have existed when the E&WJR station opened at Morton Pinkney, the GCR was built much later.
Thank you Peter,
The view of the station is very useful. I wish I could read the sign.
Have noticed Moreton is spelt without the e. Gather it was "Morton Pinkney for Sulgrave". Though I would have thought Culworth would have been nearer.
Rob
Hello Peter,
Thank you for your welcome.
The reason for signing up is that I have been asked to produce an oil painting of a Bayer -Peacock 2-4-0T with coaches going through Morton Pinkney. I could do with some good photos and drawings to get the fine details I need.
All the best,
Rob.
Peter
Look forward to some interesting browsing.
Alan
Peter
Though i moved away from Northampton in 1966. i have always had an interest in the SMJ - wondered about all the little railway lines and the mysterious wagon stores when being driven around the county by my father. In around 1965 two friends and I decided to try and 'cycle along the trackbed - started from Blisworth and got as far as Wappenham (As far as i can recall). I am afraid I will not be able to add anything to the knowledge of the line - not even any photos from that day. Alan
Sorry Peter, no photos. In the excitement of watching it, we did n`t even think of the camera! This was 1965 and the small digital camera was not about. Wish it had been.
Jean
Hello Peter,
You would be most welcome any time at Little Haven.
If you would like our phone number please ask.
With regard to the SMJ we both remember watching the last train to pass through in 1965 as my mother-in-law to be had a property only 1/2 mile away. We had a good view from the top window, the train all lit up on the last journey west towards Bidford.
Regards,
Jean
Hello Peter, thank you for your welcome.
Thought you may be interested to know my husband Dave and I own 1/2 mile of the old SMJ line off the B439 between Cranhill Corner and Bidford which we have owned for 20 years.
This is our special world of wild flowers, trees, and wildlife. We have lived here for 47 years and you featured part of our wild flower area through Simon`s photos June 2014. There is a right of way over it and he rightly commented on the fact the walkway was in good condition. Glad he appreciated it. I will be giving a talk to the Temple Grafton W.I soon on the railway history and our contribution to it.
My husband is a G.W.R train spotter of 1950`s era and loves books, film etc., and occasionally collects a model steam engine -to look at only of course! His father was a Goods Guard on the G.W.R. based in Stratford-upon-Avon and travelled extensively. (Later years on a passenger trains locally to Birmingham.)
Jean
P.S. With regard to Teresa Gates letter below, the old Binton Station site is now the subject of a planning application for 24 houses!! The original Station building and engine shed are still intact, but the whole site is now under threat.
Many thanks. These loook most interesting.
Teresa
Peter thanks. Next time we are up there we will have another look. Can you tell me when the line closed and was there a level crossing at the Welford turn off?
Teresa
My Great grandfather's name was Joseph Hirons. In the 1881 census at the age of 21yrs, while living in Fenny Compton, he is recorded as a railway station master. 1901 census he is again a railway stationmaster, however the actual station isn't mentioned. The first mention of a station is In Kelly's Directory of 1912 he is listed as railway station master at Binton. Please could you give me the O/S co ordinates of the station as we were unable to locate it on our recent visit? Has it now completely disappeared? Around the end of the First World War he left the railway to become the landlord of The Old Thatch Tavern, Stratford on Avon.
Look forward to hearing from you
Teresa Gates
Thanks for the welcome Peter.
Best wishes
Linton Guise
A lot ofpeople who lived in Roade always knew it as the Scratter.
THANK YOU, PETER, GLAD TO BE ABOARD. SPENT MANY A HAPPY SATURDAY AT ROADE AND BLISWORTH, MY BROTHER IN LAW RAN A FARM, WHICH AJOINED THE SCRATTER AT ROADE.