'The Summer Riviera'
HST to Paignton
Ian Thomas, Bill Elston, 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 leading the Manchester Victoria - Paignton charter through Cam and Dursley. 08.08.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
43089 on the rear at Cam and Dursley. 08.08.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
43025 leading the Manchester - Paignton excursion past Cogload Junction. 08.08.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
43089 on the rear at Cogload. 08.08.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
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 (also sometimes known as Shell Cove or Smugglers Stream, depending on who you ask or which O/S map you consult!), 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'
Bill Elston, 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.
1Z07, Ely to Kingswear, seen here hauled by 47810 passing Cogload jct. 110 min late. This was also delayed by sheep on the line in the Bedwyn area, and was then further delayed in the Westbury area when 47805 failed and was then removed. 08.08.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
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'
Bill Elston & Clive Smith
 1Z25, Pad to Minehead hauled by 33207 and 33025 standing in for a steam loco, bringing up the rear was 47848. seen here crossing Langport viaduct and River Parrett. This was delayed by around 53 min due to sheep on the line in the Bedwyn area. 08.08.2026, copyright Bill Elston. |  A second shot of the 33's at the same location. 08.08.2026, copyright Bill Elston. |
47848 on the rear. 08.08.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
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, Bill and 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.
Gosport Station remains. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Gosport Station remains. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.