‘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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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 yesterday.

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.

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.

Bridge sign 3 Replies

An East and West Junction and Stratford-On-Avon, Towcester and Midland Junction Railways bridge weight notice, cast iron, 16½"x11¾", the front repainted. As is usual, the company title has been altered to Stratford-On-Avon and Midland Junction…Continue

Started by Graham Ward. Last reply by Russ Firth Jun 1.

SMJ photos

Fenny Compton

I’m modeling Fenny Compton station and am lacking photos of the following points of view:

Up station throat including point N° 11 and Down home signal N° 2

Goods yard access including trap point and ground signal N° 14

Can anyone give details of the number of sidings in the goods yard as drawings differ between one and two?

Head shunt for change over from SMJR to GWR including points N° 10; N° 23 and ground signals N° 9 24

Can anyone give details of the point operation at this interchange as some points have not been numbered; were they changed via a ground frame?

Thanks in advance

Jack

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jim Goodman on June 16, 2014 at 22:24

Hi Jack,

Sorry, can't help you with any photos you are looking for, but good luck in your search. I assume you have all the books on the SMJ, I have one close up photo of the wooden waiting shelter on the up platform that doesn't seem to be in any book.

I'm fairly certain that there were two sidings as shown in Arthur Jordan's book and 'Track layout diagrams of the GWR and BR WR, section 29 - SMJ'

In M. Christensen's book all the points on the interchange are numbered and presumably controlled from the one box built in 1931. I don't know how it was controlled when there were two boxes.

Are you modelling both the SMJ and GWR stations? - I've thought about doing that, it will be some layout (presumably in 00 gauge).

Jim.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Freuville on June 17, 2014 at 17:39

Hi Jim

Thanks for your quick answer. I do have many books on the SMJR and over 500 photographs; unfortunately I’m missing those odd places at Fenny Compton. I don’t have M. Christensen’s book; could you send me the references?

I’m only modeling THE SMJR station with part of the GWR track as a scenic add on; the gauge is OO