August 12th 2026

12/8/2026

August Skies
Craig Munday

The endless Summer of 2026 will live long in many people's memory. Will long hot Summers and persistent rain filled Winters become the norm? Advanced weather models I've seen seem to indicate this could be the way forward.

A few from featuring the blue skies, and an after dark Sleeper shot too.

A shift at Goonbarrow allowed a glimpse of 08752 shunting from the box window on 6th. 06.08.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

66748 at last led the double header into Cornwall on the Belmond Britannic Explorer and is pictured at Dowgas Westbound on Sat 8th. 08.08.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

The Golant Carnival was on 8th Aug. I avoided the village that evening, but grabbed the Lostwithiel bound Belmond Explorer passing Par. If someone had said 4 years that GBRf would be regularly running a successful Belmond Britannic charter train throughout the year to Carne Point and Class 175s would be working services on the mainline most would have been skeptical. Add 153384 on 2Q36 stabled in Liner Siding and you have a completely changed line up from years ago! Nothing stays the same... 08.08.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

1A50 was pictured at Camborne with 57605. The sky to the west still has colour - helped by the 21.15 Sunday departure time. 09.08.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

Finally, a couple from Golant. The bunting still in place around the village added some colour to 6G09 passing on 10th & 11th. Such beautiful light for August. Note the dried out football pitch desperate for some torrential rain! 10.08.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

66759 once again at the head of 6G09 on Tuesday 11th, passing through Golant with plenty of bunting still present from the villages carnival the week prior. 11.08.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

A superb selection of sunny photos Craig - many thanks indeed.

Paignton Station Fire Damage
Andrew Hickson

On Saturday it was sad to see the extent of the fire damage at Paignton Station. A temporary ticket office has been set up and up trains start further back as shown in the attached photo. Platform lengths are consequently of insufficient length to deal with London trains so they are terminating at Torquay and running empty to Goodrington.

The removed canopy at Paignton Station. 08.08.2026, copyright Andrew Hickson.

The classic station footbridge damaged by fire. 08.08.2026, copyright Andrew Hickson.

166220 awaits departure with the 1617 to Exmouth whilst 800320 arrives with the empty stock of the 1236 from Paddington which terminated at Torquay. 08.08.2026, copyright Andrew Hickson.

Many thanks indeed Andrew. A sad sight indeed. Hopefully those responsible are held to account and the station can soon be restored.

Devon HST
Paul Barlow

43055 and 43050 working the 0950 Crewe to Goodrington ECS (for todays (Wednesdays) railtour from Paignton) past Cowley Bridge Junction. 11.08.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul. And if anybody wants the times for todays tour (or tomorrows ECS movement), they can be found in our Railtour Calendar.

Memories of the Peaks
Michael Forward & Michael Adams

A couple of shots from many taken during my visit to Aller jctn on a hot 28 July 1984. Firstly we see 45006 'The Honourable Artillery Company' with the 10.35 Penzance to Leeds. Copyright Michael Forward.

46025 took me by surprise but we get a view of the signal box, train service not known. 28.07.1984, copyright Michael Forward.

Michael Adams sends this picture of now withdrawn 46025 (D162) at Swindon works. The loco was to be scrapped at Doncaster in 1985. Copyright Michael Forward.

Many thanks as always to the two Michaels.

High tide at Golant
Mark Lynam & Jon Hird

66759 again crosses the Golant Causeway with Tuesdays train of empties from Fowey. Viewed from high at the top of the village. 11.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

A lower angle as the train continues on towards Lostwithiel. This shot taken with the assistance of my son who, after I'd 'parked' and locked the drone, managed to press the shutter button at just the right moment. 11.08.2026, copyright Charlie Hird.

The shot I'd actually gone down for last night. Taken from the very end of the harbour, a few things need to line up in order for this to come off. You need a retreating tide (so you don't get cut off), an early 6G05 (as this half of the harbour is in shadow soon after 1830) and you need there to actually be a train! Thankfully, it all came together with the train passing by nice and early at 1825 with Dave M at the controls. 11.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Over to Lostwithiel where 66759 is seen running round its train, passing the former signal box. 11.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

The train awaits departure from Lostwithiel Down Loop. 11.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Off home for the night as 66759 departs Lostwithiel for Goonbarrow. 11.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark. These long summer evenings are a dream for photography. We should all make the most of them whilst we can!

An hour at Laira Junction
Andrew Triggs

I spent some time on Embankment Road, Laira in glorious conditions yesterday, capturing the everyday scene of Todays modern Unit friendly railway, it certainly ain't what it used to be.

Withdrawn 43088 awaits it's fate at Laira, viewed from Embankment Road Overbridge. 11.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

175112 working 5Z77 10.05 Laira T&RSMD-Laira T&RSMD (Via Totnes) heading back into the Depot. 11.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

802006 with 802001 working 1C99 09.03 London Paddington-Newquay, running 20 late at 12.30. 11.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

802001 with 802007 passing Laira working 1A86 11.08 Newquay-London Paddington. 11.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

XC 221107 with 220026 passing Laira working 1S53 11.15 Penzance-Edinburgh. 11.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

And one from Monday at Sparkwell Road Overbridge, Network Rail 153384 working 2Q26 06.48 Par-Derby RTC (N.R) heads back up through West Devon. 10.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks Andrew. I think many of us are waiting to see what fate lies ahead for 43088 and 43156, the last 2 power cars at Laira.