Blog Archives

August 9th 2026

9/8/2026

'The Summer Riviera'
HST to Paignton
David Tozer, Andrew Triggs, Paul Barlow, Mark Lynam, Jon Hird & Clive Smith

The 125 Group in association with Retro Railtours and Rail Operations Group ran a Manchester - Paignton excursion on 08.08.2026, using their rake of mk3's along with power cars 43025 and 43089.

43025 and 43089 with the 0735 Manchester Victoria to Paignton. 08.08.2026, copyright David Tozer.

43025 Exeter and 43089 pass Langstone Rock, Dawlish Warren on the 0735 Manchester to Paignton Summer Riviera 1Z51. 08.08.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

A lower view of 43025 Exeter and 43089 passing Langstone Rock, Dawlish Warren on the 0735 Manchester to Paignton Summer Riviera 1Z51. 08.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

43089 on the rear at Langstone. 08.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

A classic scene at Horse Cove, Dawlish as 43025 leads the railtour on towards Paignton. 08.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

43025 'Exeter' leads 5Z52 13.43 Paignton-Goodrington C.H.S (with 43089) towards the Sidings running 22 late at 14.10. 08.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Ex East Midlands liveried 43089 on the rear of 5Z52 as it snakes into Goodrington Sidings. 08.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

43089 and the 125 Groups stock wait in Goodrington Sidings. 08.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

43089 waits departure from Paignton whilst a 'Turbo' shunts out of the platform ready to form the next departure to Exmouth. 08.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

The railtour seen from the level crossing at Paignton, with the recently fire-damaged footbridge visible. 08.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

An on-time departure from Paignton at 1645 for 43089. 08.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

43089 leading the return 1Z54 16.45 Paignton-Manchester Victoria, passing a cloudy Cockwood Harbour at 17.12. 08.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

43025 'Exeter' back in its namesake city as it stands at Exeter St. Davids waiting departure on the rear of the returning railtour. 08.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

43089 departs Exeter St. Davids with the return working to Manchester. 08.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

43089 43025 on the 1645 Paignton to Manchester 1Z54 pass Staffords bridge. 08.08.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

43089 43025 1645 Paignton to Manchester 1Z54 heads north Stoke Canon mill is in the background. 08.08.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

43089 leading and 43025 on the rear of the return 1Z54 16.45 Paignton - Manchester Victoria 125 Group "The Summer Riviera" passes through Tiverton Parkway. 08.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

43025 on the rear at Tiverton. 08.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks all - great to see an almost all 'Swallow' liveried set here in the south west, well done to all involved.

'The English Riviera Express'
David Tozer, Paul Barlow, Mark Lynam, Jon Hird & Andrew Triggs

This weeks LSL tour to Kingswear was once again hauled by diesels vice-steam. Originally departing Ely with both 47805 and 47810, 47805 encountered difficulties en route and was removed at Westbury, leaving 47810 to go it alone.

Class 47 47810 (D1924) with the 0540 Ely to Paignton. 08.08.2026, copyright David Tozer.

D1924 with the late running 0540 Ely to Kingswear 1Z07 pass Langstone rock. 08.08.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

A lower view of 47810 passing Langstone Rock. 08.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

47810 powers past Horse Cove en route to Kingswear. 08.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

D1924 'Crewe Diesel Depot' approaching Tanners Road overbridge leading 1Z07 05.40 Ely-Kingswear (For Dartmouth) running 58 late at 13.46. 08.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Some exhaust from 47810 as it departs Paignton with the return excursion. 08.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Thanks again everyone, nice to have a second railtour through Devon for a bit of extra interest.

'The West Somerset Express'
Clive Smith

West Coast Railways 33207 & 33025 arrive on platform 2 at Taunton with the 1Z26 15.30 Minehead - Paddington 'The West Somerset Express' operated by the Railway Touring Company. Note the slightly narrower body of 'Hastings Gauge' 33207 compared to 33025 behind. The train accessed the main line from Norton Fitzwarren via Fairwater. 08.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks, Clive.

Dartmouth Diesels
Clive Smith, Andrew Triggs & Mark Lynam

Some 37 action on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway with a rare appearance of 'heavy' 37703 resplendent in new Trainload Coal livery substituting for steam locos on the last two trains of the day. 37703 at Paignton awaiting its turn, the 15.30 to Kingswear. 07.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

37703 at Kingswear on the 16.05 to Paignton. 07.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

37703 arriving at Kingswear with the 16.45 from Paignton. 07.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

37703 runs round at Kingswear to work the 17.15 to Paignton. 07.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

Diesel haulage continued on Saturday 08.08 with 37275 covering the afternoon turns

Class 03 D2192 propells the P&DR Water Bouser and Fire prevention Van away from Paignton towards Goodrington Sands. 08.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Resident Tractor 37275 departing Paignton working the 15.30 service for Kingswear (For Dartmouth). 08.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

37275 powering up Goodrington Bank with a service for Kingswear. 08.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks all - sources suggest another outing for 37275 today (Sunday 9th) if anybody is needing an EE fix!

August 1976
Part 9
Roger Winnen

Gosport Station remains. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

August 8th 2026

8/8/2026

NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 119
Frome 2015
Michael L. Roach

At the beginning of September 2015 we stayed at the Premier Inn in Frome for five nights – Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th. The whole purpose was to spend one day at the Great Dorset Steam Fair which took place at Tarrant Hinton, Blandford Forum from Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6th 2015 that year. It was 35 miles and an hour's travel from Frome to the site of the fair, but that was the nearest we could find an hotel room at a reasonable price. We travelled to the GDSF on Thursday 3 September 2015, and I hope to describe the wonders of the show one day.

All my life I have photographed the occasional object, not because I was particularly interested in that object, but because it was just there waiting to be recorded perfectly positioned; or perfectly lit; or just unusual; a whole variety of reasons. On the evening of 2 September we had a portion of fish and chips eaten in the car in the middle of Frome. While my wife was in the shop I walked across the road to take the image attached of an unusual motor car. I had seen a few similar cars before but they were never at all common. I do not know anything about the car – can anyone identify the make and model please. I don't think I have seen another one since 2015.

The unusual car parked in front of Lee's fish and chip shop on Portway, Frome on 2 September 2015. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Mike. Looks like a Suzuki X90 to me. Never a big seller here in the UK.

For more of Michaels articles, please click here.

Shaun Brown writes in response:

Good morning, the car in Michael's picture is a Suzuki Vitara X-90. It was produced from 1995 until 1997 and had a front mounted 1.6L engine with either a four speed automatic box or a five speed manual box and was available in rear wheel drive or four wheel drive. It had a T top roof which meant you could remove the panels above the driver and passenger seats for the "open air experience". It was a strange looking car and you didn't see many of them around.

And Neil Phillips writes:

The odd-looking vehicle Michael L. Roach spotted in Frome was indeed a Suzuki X90, the answer to a question nobody had asked! Not only was the UK market confused by it, the weirdly humorous brochure showed that the UK importer Suzuki GB were bamboozled by it as well!

Many thanks to both Shaun and Neil.

Sunday Freight
Roger Geach

37668 / 37416 head the 6S55 Burngullow–Irvine past Bethany on Sunday, 23 October 1994. Single-line working is in operation, with the train running on the Down line. 37416 was a Cornish clay loco from May 1993 to July 1995, while 37668’s stay was longer, from May 1993 to September 1999. 37416 is perhaps better remembered as a Scottish Region Class 37/4 passenger loco, displaced by the dreaded Sprinters. Copyright Roger Geach.

Many thanks Roger, an unusual photo with them being 'wrong line'.

Pen Mill Peak
Paul Barlow

46014 works the 1615 Bristol to Weymouth at Yeovil Pen Mill. 27.08.1983, copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks indeed Paul.

Neil Phillips writes:

Peak 46014 in Paul Barlow's Yeovil Pen Mill photo was originally D151, the first Peak to reach Penzance on 30th December 1969.

Thanks very much for the additional info, Neil.

August 1976
Part 8
Roger Winnen

Departure from Southampton at the junction of lines to Southampton Docks. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

Fareham Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

Southern DEMU 1121 arrives at Fareham Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

August 7th 2026

7/8/2026

Tomorrow - 08.08.2026
Okehampton Model Railway Show

Boardmasters Special
Jon Hird

9-car Hitachi unit 802306 crosses the former A30 on Tregoss Moor whilst working 2Z92, a 1333 Newquay - Par service to enhance capacity on the branch during the build up to the popular 'Boardmasters' music festival. 06.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Sydney Gardens
Paul Barlow

33002 working the 1505 Bristol to Portsmouth passing Sydney Gardens Bath. 19.08.1980, copyright Paul Barlow.

33032 on the 1600 Cardiff to Portsmouth passing Sydney Gardens, Bath. 19.08.1980, copyright Paul Barlow.

45066 and 47099 on a freight towards Bristol passing Sydney Gardens, Bath. 19.08.1980, copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul, a great location with some really interesting architecture.

Before the Voyagers
Michael Adams & Michael Forward

Michael Adams sends this picture of 47641 'Fife Region' about to run round its train in Reading station on 11 March 1987 with the 09.02 Manchester to Poole. Copyright Michael Adams.

Now a shot from Michael Forward of 47649 storming away from the West end of Reading on 27 May 1986 with a reverse working,the 16.15 Poole to Manchester. Such inter-regional services long operated now with Voyagers. Copyright Michael Forward.

Many thanks to both Michaels - I think I'd choose either of those over a Voyager.

Swindon Test Train
Colin Pidgeon

43357 t&t 43277 on 1Q23 Bristol Temple Meads to Derby RTC at Swindon. 06.08.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks as always Colin.

August 1976
Part 7
Roger Winnen

A DEMU 1132 departs Southampton. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

DEMU 1124 arrives at Southampton. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

SR Set 3003 at Southampton. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

SR Set 7827 departs Southampton. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

August 6th 2026

6/8/2026

Return to Sharpness
Ian Thomas

After many years of hard work and negotiations, the Vale of Berkeley Railway was in a position to operate its first-ever passenger trains between Sharpness and Berkeley Road over the first weekend of August.

Clearance of the site was essential, with vegetation and well-established trees needing to be cut back after 60 years of neglect, plus a logistical exercise to get the punters aboard the train.

The line closed to passengers in 1964, with the last trains running on Saturday, October 31st that year. This was a triple whammy, as both the Hereford to Gloucester line and the Gloucester to Chalford railmotor services also finished on the same day as part of the Beeching Report of March 1963.

The line was built by the Severn & Wye Railway Company and opened to passengers on August 1st, 1876, so it was the 150th anniversary over the weekend. The line was extended to cross the Severn Railway Bridge, and this opened on October 17th, 1879, sadly being destroyed in the accident of October 25th, 1960. Trains then ran to Sharpness only until closure. (I will do the story on all that later this autumn.)

Rich Kelsey, myself, and our two wives were booked on the 11.45 service from Sharpness to Berkeley Road and return on Friday, July 31st. We were bussed to Oldminster Road to board the train using a specially constructed ramp for access, this being near to where the former Sharpness station was sited.

It was a pleasant trip over the line, although the trees have obscured virtually all views, and it was difficult to work out where we were at any one time. However, the gantry at Berkeley (for nuclear flask loading) was seen, and we could just make out the A38 main road at Berkeley Road.

The VOBR ran six trains each day at two-hour intervals, with a break at lunchtime. They were slow to fill at first, but by the preceding week all trains were full, bar a few seats.

All went very well, with a commentary aboard the 1985-built Pacer 143603. This unit was allocated to Heaton Depot (Newcastle) from new but emigrated south-west later in life.

I have included pictures of the weekend, and from the past, including some by the late Ben Ashworth.

Opening day poster with thanks to Rich Kelsey.

Please click above images for an enlargement and caption - all images copyright Ian Thomas.

A ticket to ride. Copyright Rich Kelsey.

Images from the past. Please click for enlargements and copyright info.

Many thanks indeed Ian - a great achievement for the group, we wish them every success for the future.

Par Interlude
Steve Clark

A couple of photos from Par yesterday morning. First up is 153384 sat in the Liner sidings after its aborted 2Q36 trip on Tuesday. 05.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

150261 waits to shunt to Chapel Sidings after arriving on 2N01 from Newquay. 05.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

Finally a couple of shots of 175101 on 2E06 07.43 Penzance to Exeter St Davids. 05.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

175101 awaits departure from Par. 05.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

Many thanks Steve, a nice selection.

Three heritage lines in one day
Phil Gilbert

Three heritage lines in one day, although I didn’t travel on the Bodmin line. We are very lucky to have such wonderful examples of preservation in our part of the south west.

The Bubble Car at the South Devon Railway, Totnes. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.

1369 at Totnes, SDR. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.

Dorothea and Covercoat at the Launceston Steam Railway. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.

The Launceston Steam Railway, formerly the North Cornwall Line. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.

5552 and 37142 at Bodmin General. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.

Many thanks Phil - look like a good day out.

Wednesdays Clay
Jon Hird

66759 leads a later-than-usual (due to additional 'Boardmasters' music festival traffic on the branch) Goonbarrow - Fowey clay towards Treffrys Aqueduct in the Luxulyan Valley. 05.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

August 1976
Part 6
Roger Winnen

Class 33 awaits departure from Southampton with a service to Reading-Oxford etc. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

A vintage Trespassers notice at Southampton. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

August 5th 2026

5/8/2026

NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 118
John Roach – Railway Contractor
Michael L. Roach

When I received my first camera, as a schoolboy, in 1957 I started keeping records of every photograph taken and that also acted as a kind of diary recording almost everywhere I had been. Later it would be refined to record not only the date and time but also the weather and the exposure etc. That detailed record keeping ceased in 2007 when I retired and also went digital, because it became simply impossible when taking up to 100 or more photos a day on holiday for example. Instead I started keeping a detailed diary of what happened each day, and more importantly where we went, acting as a kind of index for the digital images.

In July 2026 I was looking through my diary for 2010 trying to find the date of the incident at Penzance Station described in Part 114. I did not find it but it was interesting to see some of the railway stations used and visited that year while on holiday, such as Alnmouth, Dewsbury, Durham Gilesgate, Hartlepool, Knaresborough, Leeds and Wakefield. The previous year I had fallen off a step ladder and could not move so I sat at a table and started researching my family history and in my diary page for 24 September 2010 I recorded the 1851 census result for a John Roach born 1804 at Revelstoke. Now Revelstoke was the parish church for the village of Noss Mayo where my great great grandmother was born in 1825. The parish church was then a mile or more away from Noss Mayo near the cliffs and was replaced by a Victorian Parish Church in the village but before then parishioners would have found it more convenient to have walked across the causeway at low tide and up the hill to Newton Ferrers Parish Church.

Thus far I have found a total of about 280 Roaches being born in The South Hams between Plymouth and Kingsbridge between 1665 and 1945 and John was already on my list when I rediscovered him in 2026, having quite forgotten about him despite how interesting he is, so I guessed that if I looked back far enough it might be possible to show that we were distantly related. John's parents were George (born 1764) and Jane or Joan (Elliott). His grandparents were William (b 1726) and Rebeckah (Harvey) and his great grandparents were William (b 1686) and Ann (Strode). My 4 times Great Grandparents were the same George (b1764) and Jane/Joan Elliott who were married at Newton Ferrers Parish Church in 1787. John was the sixth of the six confirmed children born to George and Jane Roach. Child no. 4 was James William Roach (b 1799) who married Sarah Crispin at Newton Ferrers on 24 October 1823. Their first child was Louisa born July 1825 whose life was described in 1964 – Part 53. We are connected in another quite different way as we both worked in civil engineering for part of our working lives.

John Roach married Jane Byland (born 1802) of Antony, Torpoint, Cornwall in February 1827 at Charles Church, Plymouth. Although Charles Church was destroyed in an air raid in WW2 the roofless shell survives in the middle of a roundabout on the east side of the City Centre on the A374. John claimed to be the same age as his wife, or a year older, in all censuses a ploy often used when a man was younger than his wife. John and Jane Roach had three children. They were John Byland Roach (1829-1906); George Byland Roach (1831-1919); and Susanna Yelland “Annie” Roach (1834-1891). The name Yelland appears to come from Jane's mother (i.e John's mother-in-law) who was 85 years old and living with John and Jane in the 1851 census.

In the 1851 census John Roach was living at Keyford in Frome, Somerset and describes himself as a “Rail Contractor.” In 1851 the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Line was being built by the Great Western Railway who had taken over the W, S & W Railway about a year before the census of 1851. Frome Station opened on 7 October 1850 and Castle Cary Station opened on 1 September 1856, which confirms that the railways were still being built in the area in 1851. John Roach might have done quite well out of building railways judging by the parts of London that he later lived in and the servants that he had. Sometime between the census's of 1851 and 1861 John Roach changed his surname from Roach to Roche. This could well be a reflection of something that he might have been told 200 years ago and I could only surmise – that our family had come across the English Channel from France and settled in South Devon sometime before 1665.

In London John lived in Kensington W11 4RS and at Hampstead NW3 4NG. Both properties are tall, elegant and quite beautiful, and while there John describes himself variously as Proprietor of Houses and Slate Merchant. His eldest son John Byland Roach also worked in the slate business in London, while second son George left home at the age of just 20 years to advance his career in civil engineering. John and his two sons would have met the Engineer for the W,S & W Railway on his occasional visits to inspect progress and to chair site meetings – he was of course the great Brunel. Much as John Roach's life was interesting his son's George's life was even more interesting as we shall see in a forthcoming article one day.

My thanks go to Guy Vincent for providing a photo of Frome station train-shed soon after it had been restored. The station is a unique survivor of a through train-shed.

An extract of the 7th Series 1-inch map of the Newton and Noss area showing the closed railway stations at Brixton Road and Steer Point (but strangely not Yealmpton – just east of the B-road). Also shewn is the redundant medieval church of Revelstoke on the cliff just north of Stoke Point.

A close-up of the Newton and Noss area showing that the medieval parish church of Newton Ferrers and the Victorian parish church at Noss Mayo are just 500 metres apart.

166202 stands at Frome Station on the 14.04 to Swindon on 21 February 2018. The station then looked immaculate after a restoration four years earlier in which it won an award. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Michael, your dedication to research for your articles must be admired.

For more of Michaels work, please click here.

Re: Wrangaton
Graham Mann

Hi,

I still get much pleasure reading your brilliant website.

The recent article on Wrangaton took me back to 1972 on joining British Rail as a trackman.

Our patch covered from the 232mp to 243m20ch mp right by whats now Sainsburys in Plymouth.

Although the signal box was slightly off our patch we used it as our “gang hut” whenever we were working at Wrangaton, we normally parked at Siding cross or very occasionally on top of the overbridge (now long gone)

We also used it when we were recovering the points to the naval depot.

There is a connection between Wrangaton and Burngullow which very few people would know, the points in Wrangaton Sidings that directly connected to the main line points laid in situ for at least 2 decades following the main line removal.

I was tasked with creating a FB crossover from an existing single FB turnout in Burngullow depot, I remembered the points left many years before at Wrangaton which on examination were an exact match for what i needed and were in reasonable condition.

The point had to be recovered by road and by incredible coincidence the security man on Wrangaton security gates was an old school pal of mine from many years before, he opened the gates for us one Saturday night, we recovered the whole turnout with cranage to low loaders and took it all to Burngullow for installation which we did during the following week.

So a very tenuous link, I hope it’s interesting to your readership but the article did bring back many memories and felt I had to unload that memory

Many thanks indeed Graham, a great story and a cornish connection. Thanks for sharing the memory with us.

Dobwalls 'Duff'
Roger Geach

47619 working the 1200 Paddington - Penzance 1C38 passing Dobwalls on Sunday 07.09.1986, this location was good after 1800hrs when the sun went round. Copyright Roger Geach.

Many thanks as ever, Roger.

Totnes Riverside
Martin Scane

Here’s 5526 at Totnes Riverside about to set off for Buckfastleigh at 11-25 on 3rd August. Photo taken from the grounds of the Rare Breeds Farm opposite the station. 03.08.2026, copyright Martin Scane.

Lovely framing Martin - many thanks indeed.

Test unit at Par
Mark Lynam

153384 arrives at Par from Derby, having lost an hour in Laira earlier in the evening. 03.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

The unit stables for the night in Par Liner Siding. 03.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark, nice sky.

The unit suffered problems on its return journey on 04.08 and at the time of writing, was stranded in Lostwithiel Loop awaiting attention.

Lostwithiel Run Round
Jon Hird

66759 pulls into Lostwithiel passing the disused signal box, running round its train of empty wagons which are waiting in the down goods loop. 04.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

No.2 son Charlie waves 66759 'Chippy' off as it runs back into the loop to rejoin its train. 04.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

A shaft of lucky sunshine breaks through an otherwise threatening sky and puts a spotlight on 66759 and 6G05 waiting departure from the down loop. I feel nowadays that Lostwithiel (as far as railways go) is quite a sad place - the silent signal box, the rotting decapitated signals, the lifted goods yard and the assortment of disused railway relics sprouting from the lineside vegetation all acts to give it a run-down feeling. I can't remember as far back in time as many of our readers, but even over the last 20 years the changes here have been dramatic. 04.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

August 1976
Part 5
Roger Winnen

Southampton Signal Gantry. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

DEMU 1101 at Southampton Central. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

DEMU 1101 departs Southampton. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

August 4th 2026

4/8/2026

Re: Wrangaton Signal Box
Steve Widdowson

Following on from Michael Roach's recent article on Wrangaton, and Roy Harts follow-up piece, below are some photographs of the relocated Wrangaton Signal Box at Kidderminster.

The former Wrangaton Signal Box, relocated and repurposed at Kidderminster, Severn Valley Railway. 01.08.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.

A nod to the past at Kidderminster. 01.08.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.

13268 at Kidderminster SVR with the 1405 Bridgnorth - Kidderminster. 01.08.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.

GWR 813 at Kidderminster. 01.08.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.

Many thanks indeed Steve, a great follow-on from Mikes recent article - much appreciated.

Miniature Railways
Clive Smith

A visit to two of the south west's miniature railways on Sunday.

First up in the morning was the Mount Edgcumbe Railway on the Rame Peninsula at Cremyll. The first two pictures show this short railway in the very attractive country park with its gardens and beautiful house.

Then in the afternoon in the Southway area of Plymouth at Goodwin Park was 'Plymouth Miniature Steam' where I took the latter two pictures.

Mount Edgcumbe Railway & Model Society

Plymouth Miniature Steam

Mount Edgcumbe Railway on the Rame Peninsula at Cremyll. 02.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

'Plymouth Miniature Steam' at Southway, Plymouth. 02.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks indeed Clive - a big day out on some little trains!

Hinksey Blues
Alan Peters

GBRf 66309 'Charley Wallace' is pictured at Hinksey yard on 22/07/26, note the Colas Rail class 66 hiding underneath the footbridge. Copyright Alan Peters.

Oops, nearly missed it Chiltern Railways 68032 runs light past Hinksey yard on a training run to Didcot Parkway on 22/07/26. Copyright Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan. The 68 is an unusual looking machine with no yellow ends.

Ponsandane New Sidings
Roger Winnen

An IET stabled in the new sidings at Ponsandane. 02.08.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.

An IET which has come off Long Rock depot ECS passes its classmate stabled in the new Ponsandane Sidings. 02.08.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.

Many thanks, Roger.

Mondays Clay
Mark Lynam & Jon Hird

66759 leading the midday Goonbarrow - Fowey clay down the gradient past Milltown. 03.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

After running round at Lostwithiel, 66759 heads down the Fowey Branch passing Coulson Park, Lostwithiel. 03.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

66759 passes a waterless Golant with the Goonbarrow - Fowey clay, 13 JIA's in tow. 03.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Much later in the day, 66759 is seen again crossing Milltown Viaduct with 6G05, the empties returning to Goonbarrow. 03.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks Mark - a nice day for it.

Swanage Contrasts
Michael Adams

Michael Adams sends these two pictures of contrasting motive power on the Swanage Railway. Firstly we see D1015 'Western Champion' at Corfe Castle on 11 May 2007. This loco. was built in 1963 and is based on the Severn Valley railway. Copyright Michael Adams.

At Swanage during this Spring's diesel gala we see brand new 99004 resting between turns. 2026, copyright Michael Adams.

Old and new - many thanks Michael Adams and Michael Forward.

August 1976
Part 4
Roger Winnen

The approach to Winchester Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

SR EMU 409 at Winchester. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

August 3rd 2026

3/8/2026

Sulzers in Devon
Paul Barlow

A couple from 1982. These were badly exposed but have been improved with AI.

45005 Passing Cockwood with an ECS from Newquay, destination unknown. 19.06.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.

47555 passes Cockwood Harbour working the 2000 Newton Abbot to Stirling 1S54. 19.06.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul - the AI software looks like it's done a good job on them.

August 1976
Part 3
Roger Winnen

The line into Winchester Chesil. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

Near Winchester Chesil. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

August 2nd 2026

2/8/2026

Okehampton Interchange
open for business
Andrew & Diane Jones

In a week which sadly witnessed the closure of the once-extensive Par Harbour railway system, there was also some good news.

Another major milestone has been achieved with the opening of a readily accessible station serving a considerable area of North Devon and North Cornwall.

Okehampton Interchange represents a significant investment and provides additional parking for 200 cars, along with easy links to the A30.

One hopes that Okehampton Town will continue to flourish with its wonderful buffet and Southern Railway atmosphere, but it will inevitably lose some revenue due, in part, to its position high above the town centre and its limited parking.

Hopefully, the two stations will increase capacity and complement what has already proved to be a very successful project, demonstrating that, given the right circumstances, railways have an important role to play in our modern world.

With much criticism of pricing on many rail routes, the Okehampton line represents very good value at just over £9 return, together with sensible parking charges of just £2 per day.

To put this into perspective, we now live midway between Okehampton and Liskeard at Berriow Bridge, near North Hill, yet the cost of travelling from Liskeard to Exeter is approximately three times the price of a return journey from Okehampton.

The new interchange brings Bude and Camelford within the umbrella of rail connections in under an hour and, in my view, hopefully proves that Tavistock would certainly be viable if only the Government would change its strict cost-benefit criteria and align its thinking with other forms of highly subsidised transport provision, such as Newquay Airport.

Although most recent proposals have focused on reconnecting Tavistock to Bere Alston, it has been overlooked that Okehampton, given its success, should really be the target, with Plymouth following at a later stage. Who knows?

Rather than dismissing resurrection of the route by highlighting Meldon Viaduct as an obstacle, the positives outweigh any engineering difficulties. Reopening this spectacular section of moorland would create a route equal to anything on the Settle and Carlisle, while also unlocking significant tourism potential and the income it would generate.

Hopefully, all the local MPs and dignitaries who attended the opening event on Friday, 31st July 2026, will take note.

I would expect regular strengthening from two-car to four-car sets in the near future, along with the possible reopening of Sampford Courtenay, which already benefits from station improvements made during the earlier weekend summer services before the full reopening experiments of a few years ago.

Please enjoy these photographs of the very first scheduled service and the modern facilities now on offer—something that would have been inconceivable just ten years ago. It shows that anything is possible.

RIP Par Docks.

1st August 2026 first official service. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.

Set 150249 2 car formation 07.05 to Okehampton.(guard and manager see off first train to call at the interchange). 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.

Return Okehampton Interchange 07.25 service. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.

General views of the station. Click for enlargements. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.

Rolling views of Dartmoor from the base of Meldon Viaduct. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.

Many thanks Andrew and Diane - great to see and thanks for the interesting article.

Paddington Greatest Gathering Event
Craig Munday

We've been away enjoying Cumbria & Edinburgh. On our way back I was aware from information on X that a Avanti class 390 was due into Paddington. With a +18 connection off the tube for the 12.03 this was a thin opportunity. Fortunately, the 390 rolled into plat 7 bang on time. 57604 and a GWR Hitachi sat on the adjacent platform which allowed me some hurried shots.

The event was to commemorate 12 months since the Aug 2025 Greatest Gathering.

I would assume that two platforms out of action at midday on Fri 31st July was a challenge for the operations team. The Lawn was packed with people.

The 12.03 set ran into plat 9, with an inevitable late start.

London Paddington Greatest Gathering Ceremony featuring 57604 and 390200 along with a GWR Hitachi IET. 31.07.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks indeed Craig - very unusual to see a Pendolino under the roof of Paddington.

Paddington in the 1970's
Roger Geach

Further to my recent picture, here is brush 47 No. 1723 (later 47540) at Paddington. I have no date but it's circa 1972/1973. 1A88 could be 1B88, the 1745 Paddington to Westbury, but I am not certain at all about this at all. Copyright Roger Geach.

Many thanks Roger. Your photo arrived just in time to slot in beneath Craigs article. Although I'm sure we'd all rather have the trains in your photograph, it must be said that it looks a far cleaner environment in the modern-day pictures.

A day in Devon
Jon Hird

My first look at the new Okehampton Interchange as 150249 calls on the 1323 Okehampton - Exeter Central. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

150249 awaiting departure from Okehampton Interchange. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

158951 approaching Starcross with the 1617 Paignton - Exmouth. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

165103 departs Starcross with the 1626 Exmouth - Paignton. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

802103 heading east at Starcross with the 1711 Torquay - London Paddington. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

150219 and 150243 head towards Cockwood Harbout with the 1655 Exmouth - Paignton. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Finally, 57302 top and tailed with 47805 approach Starcross working the 1635 Kingswear - Shewsbury 'English Riviera Express' (vice-steam). 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

57302
Paul Barlow

57302 (47805 on rear) approaches Stoke Canon crossing running 17 minutes early on the 1635 Kingswear to Shrewsbury. 01.08.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

Nice shot Paul - many thanks.

Swindon Sulzers
Colin Pidgeon

47593 top & tail 47712 [both in immaculate condition] on 1Z47 Crewe to Bristol Temple Meads. Past Swindon 31 EARLY [having missed out two 'pathing' stops in the Oxford area - see Real Train Times (RTT)] and apparently should have stopped alongside platform 3 at Swindon. 01.08.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks Colin - lovely clean locos and stock.

St. Germans Sunset
Jon Hird

Late-running 802013 and 802014 work the 1703 Paddington - Penzance across St. Germans viaduct on 31.07.2026. Copyright Jon Hird.

After being held at Plymouth for the IET's to overtake it, 66759 crosses St. Germans viaduct with the Cliffe Vale - Goonbarrow empty JIA's. 31.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

66759 and 6V72 head west into a fiery sunset, passing through St. Germans station. The sky was awash with colour. 31.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

August 1976
Part 2
Roger Winnen

Winchester Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

Winchester City Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

Exterior of Winchester City Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

August 1st 2026

1/8/2026

Okehampton Interchange Opening
Mick House

I visited the new Okehampton Interchange station as it was being opened yesterday, 31/07/2026, with the first passenger services starting today 01/08/2026.

Eighty plus people along with a number of photographers turned out for the big occasion to celebrate the opening.

I would like to congratulate all involved for making it a memorable occasion.

Please click the below images for enlargements and captions - all images copyright Mick House

Many thanks for the comprehensive report Mick. Good to see the investment being made in rail travel.

Dawlish, 45 years ago
Michael Adams

Michael Adams sends these shots taken on Saturday 1 August 1981 at Dawlish Warren. Firstly we see 47349 on an unidentified service. Copyright Michael Adams.

Now 47560 powers away with a good length 06.51 Bradford to Penzance. Copyright Michael Adams.

Many thanks to Michael and to Michael Forward for sending these over.

Crewkerne Station
James Bown

I visited Crewkerne station on Thursday. A beautiful LSWR station building and volunteers hard at work making it look beautiful. 30.07.2026, copyright James Bown.

Very atmospheric James, many thanks.

Modern traction, classic infrastructure
Steve Widdowson

EMR unit 810020 passes the signal gantry at Worcester Shrub Hill on its way to Long Marston - 5Q67 0940 Merchant Park Sidings - Long Marston. 30.07.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.

Quite the juxtaposition, Steve - many thanks for sharing the photo.

August 1976
Part 1
Roger Winnen

Battledown Flyover. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

Eastleigh Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

Eastleigh Station looking north. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

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