‘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

Model Railways

HiI'm selling my collection of SMJR related 00 gauge modelsIf of interest for any of you please contact me by mail atjfreuville@gmail.comand I will send you the list and photosKind regardsJackContinue

Started by Jack Freuville Feb 23.

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.

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Woodford 50th Anniversary

To mark the closure of Woodford 50 years ago the Great Central Railway are planning some sort of mini-gala on the weekend of 14th and 15th June. I don't know exactly what they are planning but they've contacted some Woodford people looking for photos, etc. (Rex is one person who has been approached). I note that ex Woodford Flying Pig 43106 which appeared on the SMJ on quite a few occasions is booked to appear on the GCR the following weekend so hopefully it will appear at the Woodford weekend, but that's just my guess. I believe that ex Northampton 48305 which frequently ran to Woodford West and also Byfield Ironstone on the SMJ is in pieces at Loughborough at present, it would have been nice if that had been available for the event. 

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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on March 10, 2015 at 20:14

This looks like being a meeting up of SMJR locos as well as being a celebration of Woodford. No less than 3 locos that ran on the SMJR route are scheduled to take part:- 43106 which was of course a Woodford loco, plus 9Fs 92212 and 92214. In addition there will be the previously maroon 8F freshly resplendent in authentic black and possibly a Black 5 too.

Permalink Reply by Tim Poultney on March 31, 2015 at 21:01

Just seen this link on Steam magazine Facebook page http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/local-news/dismay-over-planne... I hope somebody has a spare £200,000+ to stop this!!!

Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on April 1, 2015 at 8:39

Tim,

Is this the site of the OLD Yard on top of what's left of the embankment?

Dick

Permalink Reply by Tim Poultney on April 2, 2015 at 0:39

I don't know the area unfortunately but as far as I can make out it appears to be the area covering the old GCR station and yard in the middle of the village.

Whilst not strictly SMJ, just another part of our heritage likely removed  to over populate a village community.

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