‘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

National Archives, Donation and Kineton Photograph

Not sure if others are aware of the significant amount of documents held by the National Archives on the SMJ. The collection consists mainly of Directors Minutes etc. There is also a collection of early 20th C timetables, handbills etc. which I have…Continue

Started by Dave Hayward Apr 26.

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.

SMJ photos

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Photo Library

Hi everyone. I have just joined. I live in Pasadena, California, but for many years I lived in Northamptonshire. Not sure whether this is useful to you guys, but stored away in the UK I have dozens of color slides taken when I walked the SMJ (over several days) witha friend named Bryan Jeyes. We both took many photos. I also have pictures of Blisworth Mines steam locos at work, Towcester station (in black and white) and detailed notes of the whole route, including both Banbury and Blisworth lines, made just as the lines were demolished. I have often wondered whether these pictures would be of interest. No trains, by the way, just stations, bridges, signal boxes etc. I have also posted on my Flickr site an aerial view of some of the route (www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses) and go to SETS and "flying". I hope this is the right place for this information.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Andy Thompson on June 18, 2010 at 17:53
Yes yes yes!! John (please!)

Andy
Permalink Reply by Andy Thompson on June 18, 2010 at 17:57
Bryan Jeyes? Any relation to Maurice?

Andy
Permalink Reply by Andy Thompson on June 18, 2010 at 18:16
Permalink Reply by Brian Elphick on July 1, 2011 at 12:42

Hello John

 

Great photos!!!

 

I am making a N gauge model of Towcester station, do you have any pictures of the Lucas bridge in your collection? There seems to be a shortage.

 

All the best

 

Brian

Permalink Reply by John Evans on July 1, 2011 at 17:33
Hi Brian 

Great to hear from you. Photos of the bridge are very rare and I stupidly only photographed it from the platform level. I have several (all?) the SMJ books and it does not appear in any of them. Best to try the Towcester and District Historical Society. They have a decent archive of stuff.

John
Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on July 2, 2011 at 12:35

Hi Brian & John

I just have one decent photo of the 'Lucas' bridge'  - unfortunately not taken from road level, but it nevertheless does show the 'road' side to some extent, particularly the advert.

Hope this helps

regards

Barry

Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on July 2, 2011 at 13:00

brian

Presumably you've seen the picture in Andy TFC's Towcester 'Album' on this website. If not follow the 'SMJ Photos' link at the top of the page, then 'All albums' link. Its obn one of the early pages of albums Page 5 it should be or there abouts.

Dick 

Brian Elphick said:

Hello John

 

Great photos!!!

 

I am making a N gauge model of Towcester station, do you have any pictures of the Lucas bridge in your collection? There seems to be a shortage.

 

All the best

 

Brian

Permalink Reply by Brian Elphick on July 4, 2011 at 12:46

Hello Barry

 

Thanks for that this is the best photo so far.

 

Regards

 

Brian

Barry Taylor said:

Hi Brian & John

I just have one decent photo of the 'Lucas' bridge'  - unfortunately not taken from road level, but it nevertheless does show the 'road' side to some extent, particularly the advert.

Hope this helps

regards

Barry

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