‘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
Andy Thompson's Videos (26)
Fowler 4F 43924 Steam Test part 2
Second installment of the 4F's return to steam enjoy :) Andy Thompson Aug 10, 2011 144 views
Fowler 4F 43924 Steam Test
For the first time since 1988 43924 is finally steamed after a long effort by us lads in the shed w… Andy Thompson Aug 10, 2011 188 views
Fenny Compton Signal Box
Sort of SMJ, and given the fact that this box is now but a memory, I thought relevant! Andy I worke… Andy Thompson Jul 14, 2011 222 views
The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway - The whole line in 2011
http://www.smj.meThe SMJ was a small enigmatic line which ran across the empty heart of Northampton… Andy Thompson Mar 22, 2011 273 views
Line Tour 23 Jan 11 - Broom West Junction Austerity wartime signal box
Alwyn mentioned this survivor so we just had to go see and record it. Located right nest to the A46… Andy Thompson Mar 18, 2011 207 views
Line Tour III - 13 March 2011 - Blakesley Station
There has been quite recent work done here and the station site is gradually disappearing with just… Andy Thompson Mar 18, 2011 130 views
Line Tour II - 26 Feb 11 - Kineton Station
Of all the stations visited so far this, in its own way most shocking at the almost total lack of a… Andy Thompson Mar 18, 2011 120 views
Line Tour II - 26 Feb 11 - Fenny Compton Station
Recently infamous because of the bridge strike, Fenny Compton station site still boasts a platform,… Andy Thompson Mar 18, 2011 142 views
Line Tour III - 13 March 2011 - Greens Norton Junction
Hard to believe that there was ever a railway here. Greens Norton Junction has all but been erased… Andy Thompson Mar 18, 2011 201 views
Part 2 The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland junction Railway
http://www.smj.me The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland junction Railway was a small railway which… Andy Thompson Mar 17, 2011 279 views
The Northampton + Banbury Junction Railway
In the railway mania of the mid 19th century;the discovery of iron ore in the Blisworth area called… Andy Thompson Mar 15, 2011 168 views
Woodford halse GCR
Stay with the 30/40 seconds of black to start with. Great shots of Byfield and the inside of the box Andy Thompson Jan 3, 2011 396 views
SMJ memories
An excerpt from a 1975(?) BBC radio programme "Railways Remembered" featuring the memories of a for… Andy Thompson Nov 1, 2010 196 views
Seven Meadows Way
Passing beneath the former bridge over the Avon at Stratford which used to carry the SMJ. The footi… Andy Thompson Aug 1, 2010 108 views
"Gayton Wood Farm"
The position here is that the branch to Gayton Wood Pit was, in its later stages at least, not real… Andy Thompson Jul 8, 2010 146 views
The unseen Blakesley video 05:26
Charles William Bartholomew, the owner and 'Squire' of the parishes was a civil engineer and in 190… Andy Thompson Aug 8, 2009 255 views
SMJ A43 to the Lucas Bridge 02:47
Andy Thompson Aug 8, 2009 120 views
Towcester to Ravenstone Wood 01:28
From screen grabs from old, out of copyright maps Andy Thompson Jun 13, 2009 166 views
SMJ from space part 1 02:55
A montage of 'Google map' images of the Blisworth - Banbury section of the SMJ Andy Thompson Jun 1, 2009 108 views
Part 1 of a series of interviews with Eric Pickles. May 2008
The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway. SMJ. Eric started work on the SMJ in 1941 a… Andy Thompson May 24, 2009 138 views
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