‘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

SMJ Postage stamps 1911 and 1924

A couple of items recently up for auction.GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY AND STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & MIDLAND JUNCTION: 6…Continue

Started by Graham Ward on Wednesday.

More building at Towcester 3 Replies

I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue

Tags: Towcester

Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by John Evans Apr 19.

Loco N° 5. 2-4-0T 1 Reply

Hi everybodyI’m building a OO gauge model of Fenny Compton and Clifford Sidings over here in Belgium.Quite a strange idea but so be it…In view of this I plan to transform a RTR Beatie Well Tank into SMJR N° 5 the 2-4-0T and use some etchings for the…Continue

Started by Jack Freuville. Last reply by Simon Dunkley Mar 17.

SMJ seats at York Museum ? 1 Reply

I took my grandson to the National Railway Museum on Dec. 30th and noticed two bench seats, of the type found on station platforms until traditional stations were replaced with bus-shelters. Both bear the title " STRATFORD " - I'll try and upload…Continue

Started by Paul Atherton. Last reply by Simon Dunkley Feb 22.

SMJ photos

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Most SMJ rolling stock had vacuum and Westinghouse brake systems or at least through pipes.<br /> photos of SMJ locos show no Westingh..pump.

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Comment by Barry Taylor on March 28, 2025 at 14:22

To add a confirmation to Simon's info - I have an original copy of a SMJ Working Timetable Appendix booklet for 1916 which has annotations and amendments as the instructions etc were updated over the years after issue. On page 35 there is a list of the 'break' systems used on various railways, with the SMJ shown as both 'automatic vacuum' and 'Westinghouse' - the latter has then been struck through with the amendment dated as 31/1/19. 

Comment by Jack Freuville on March 24, 2025 at 13:23

Thanks Simon

Comment by Simon Dunkley on March 17, 2025 at 18:34

Engines 4, 5 and 6 were fitted with the Westinghouse air brake, on the LH side (looking forward) and 10-13 were dual fitted, but the air pumps maybe have been removed by late pre-grouping days: 10-12 had the pump on the LH side (most photos are of the other side!), and 13 on the RH side originally. 7 was vacuum braked on purchase and number 8 appears to have been fitted similarly circa 1903/4, based on photographic evidence. 14-18 were only ever fitted with the vacuum brake.

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