August 14th 2026

14/8/2026

Repurposed Chairs
Roger Fletcher

A photograph taken last week on St Ives harbour jetty of a bucket of GWR sleeper chairs. They are used by fisherman for weighting down items to the sea bed. August 2026, copyright Roger Fletcher.

Well spotted Roger - a novel use for them!

Hinksey Heavyhaul
Alan Peters

Freightliner 66533 "Senator Express" hurries past Hinksey Yard with 4O99 Leeds FLT to Southampton Freightliner Maritime Container Terminal service on 11th August 2026. Copyright Alan Peters.

Freightliner operated Hanson 59103 "Village of Mells" passes Hinksey Yard with the return 6C54 Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry on 11th August 2026. Copyright Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan, a view we'd not usually get.

Paignton 'Tractor' action
Andrew Triggs

6975 (37275) heading upgrade at Goodrington Sands working the 14.15 Paignton-Kingswear. 12.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

37703 on the rear of the 14.10 Kingswear-Paignton, running downgrade towards Goodrington Sands. 12.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

37703 rounding the curve at Goodrington Holiday Park working the 15.45 Paignton-Kingswear. 12.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

6975 passing Waterside working the 15.40 Kingswear-Paignton. 12.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

6975 returns south again passing Waterside Holiday Park with the 16.30 Paignton-Kingswear. 12.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Finally for the day, 37703 'Vulcan' passes Waterside with the 16.25 Kingswear-Paignton. 12.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks Andrew, nice to see this pair getting some use.

A trip to the B&H
Steve Clark

I had a super few hours on the B&H on Monday and captured pretty much one of every livery going. Here's a selection.

This was so nearly in sun but it took an age to get through the Frome area! 66590 and 66418 in HHR Powderpuff Livery haul the 6A40 Merehead to Hanwell Bridge Loop. 10.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

There was a busy spell at Edington with 4 trains passing in just over an hour, and first up was 60029 'Ben Nevis' at the head of the 6M51 Merehead to Quainton with more stone for the HS2 project. 10.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

Almost a Hanson NOT in the sun!! The sole remaining loco in this livery rounds the curve at Cheverall hauling a single portion 6A50 Whatley to Hanwell Bridge Loop. Rumours persist that this Loco may end up in ARC livery when it does receive paint. 10.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

With Shaun the Sheep entering the right of the frame, 60099 'Ben More Assynt' rumbles past with the MWFo 6V95 Willesden to Merehead empty Boxes. 10.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013' got into difficulty with a Paignton bound Charter on Saturday and had to be removed from the train with very warm 'dragging brakes'. It sits on Westbury's equivalent of the naughty step awaiting collection and taking back to Crewe. 10.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

Many thanks Steve - a bit of everything. Still a busy place for freight by the look of it.

A trip to Scarborough
Paul Barlow

A great day trip yesterday to Scarborough on the Midland Pullman. We
also had a good view of the eclipse near Burton on Trent.

The train was 75 minutes late back due to a disturbance on a preceding Cardiff to Taunton train at Highbridge involving 19 hooligans.