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Paignton station footbridge on fire 21/07/26

BayPaul

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Nearest I would have thought would be Torre. Is that a single platform, I haven't been down to Torbay for good five years?

Other than that the nearest is Newton Abbot, which would make sense as buses to Torbay pass the station front, would be more problematic at Paignton due to the bus station being across the road from the railway station.
No, Torre is a two platform station with no cross over.
 
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Russel

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Such an everyday thing for anyone railway but I suppose alien for normals.

Agreed, I did a back office role with a TOC for a few years in the early 2000s so know a decent amount, but there is still so much railway terminology and practices that are, as you put it, alien! :lol:
 

Mattplans

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Such an everyday thing for anyone railway but I suppose alien for normals.
Just as an aside - I've seen the phrase "being piloted" used on this forum and in that context I understood it to mean the driver being conducted/instructed over an unusual route they don't sign. Are there numerous meanings or was that used incorrectly there?
 

dk1

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Just as an aside - I've seen the phrase "being piloted" used on this forum and in that context I understood it to mean the driver being conducted/instructed over an unusual route they don't sign. Are there numerous meanings or was that used incorrectly there?
Could well mean the same if used in that context as being route conducted yes.
 

REVUpminster

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Looking at realtime, it looks like trains are running empty to Torquay-Paignton-Torquay to reverse today. Even a Cross Country later is going down to Goodrington to reverse.

Considering I'm only 2 miles from the station I should go and have a look. Get a bus or use the car park.
 

Towers

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Just as an aside - I've seen the phrase "being piloted" used on this forum and in that context I understood it to mean the driver being conducted/instructed over an unusual route they don't sign. Are there numerous meanings or was that used incorrectly there?
As well as sometimes also being used to describe an additional loco bolted to the front of a train!
 

CR165022

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Looking at realtime, it looks like trains are running empty to Torquay-Paignton-Torquay to reverse today. Even a Cross Country later is going down to Goodrington to reverse.

Considering I'm only 2 miles from the station I should go and have a look. Get a bus or use the car park.
All the GWR services are correct but the XC ones won't be running. They've both been cut short to Exeter and the Paignton ECS moves simply haven't been removed from the timetable yet.
 

dk1

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All the GWR services are correct but the XC ones won't be running. They've both been cut short to Exeter and the Paignton ECS moves simply haven't been removed from the timetable yet.
That makes sense. I didn’t think they’d be running through.
 

Sporty60

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That'll be frustrating for punters waiting for a bus a stones throw from Paignton level crossing seeing trains run in and out.
 

Haywain

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Such an everyday thing for anyone railway but I suppose alien for normals.
For anyone in the relevant part of the railway it might be an everyday thing, but for many of us the simple explanation is appreciated. In railway terms I am far from being a ‘normal’.
 

REVUpminster

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Today. No signage for using buses. A Torbay Council official having to answer all the questions. The usual staff were there behind the fence. No damage done to booking hall. Wooden roof panels over the old newsagents kiosk being removed. Empty trains using the usual stopping marks.20260723_093144.jpg
Painton Station fire 23 July 2026 2.png
Painton Station fire 23 July 2026 5.png
Painton Station fire 23 July 2026 6.png
Painton Station fire 23 July 2026 4.png
Painton Station fire 23 July 2026 7 train in station.png
Painton Station fire 23 July 2026 3.pngPainton Station fire 23 July 2026 8 train entering station.png
 

Annetts key

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Just as an aside - I've seen the phrase "being piloted" used on this forum and in that context I understood it to mean the driver being conducted/instructed over an unusual route they don't sign. Are there numerous meanings or was that used incorrectly there?
Note that for the purposes of single line working (bidirectional operation of an otherwise unidirectional signalled line) or a single line (or the reverse direction of a bidirectional line) when the normal signalling is not available (typically due to a failure), the pilot (or the older term pilotman) will be either a Network Rail signaller or a Network Rail MOM.

In most cases, it's a MOM these days.

Note that at any moment in time, for a particular line, or section of a line, there can only be one pilot. Hence only one train should be in section, thus making a head on or rear end collision unlikely.

If the member of staff in the cab is a train company employee, then it's likely to route conducting rather than pilot working for signalling reasons.
 

REVUpminster

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MOM=? Can't be man of the moment. Perhaps we didn't have them on the underground. That youtube single line working video had some similar systems although on the underground we had slightly different problems with rail anchors on the traction rails.
 

zwk500

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MOM=? Can't be man of the moment.
Mobile Operations Manager. Although Man of the Moment isn't far off, given they are the person who is usually tasked to respond to the site of infrastructure failures and incidents.

MOMs usually cover a relatively small patch, although the exact size will vary with the complexity of infrastructure and business of traffic.
 

dannyh73

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Saturday’s charter from Southend now confirmed as running to Kingswear but not now calling at Paignton
 

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Annetts key

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Many (maybe most) MOM's (Mobile Operations Managers) are former signallers and come under the same part of Network Rail as the signallers.
 

-Colly405-

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Note that for the purposes of single line working (bidirectional operation of an otherwise unidirectional signalled line) or a single line (or the reverse direction of a bidirectional line) when the normal signalling is not available (typically due to a failure), the pilot (or the older term pilotman) will be either a Network Rail signaller or a Network Rail MOM.

In most cases, it's a MOM these days.

Note that at any moment in time, for a particular line, or section of a line, there can only be one pilot. Hence only one train should be in section, thus making a head on or rear end collision unlikely.

If the member of staff in the cab is a train company employee, then it's likely to route conducting rather than pilot working for signalling reasons.
How is it ensured that there is only ever one pilot for a section of line, preventing a second person being "appointed" concurrently? is it something controlled by the signaller?
 

83G/84D

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It is hoped that Paignton station will reopen in a limited capacity on Tuesday depending on various mitigations being put in place.
 

Taunton

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How is it ensured that there is only ever one pilot for a section of line, preventing a second person being "appointed" concurrently? is it something controlled by the signaller?
I think that's covered in the film, with the pilotman reporting to the signalboxes and them communicating with one another. They always used to wear prominent "PILOTMAN" red armbands.

Similar to single line tokens, often thought there's only one for a section, people unfamiliar are sometimes surprised there may be 20, set up initially 10 at each end, with the token machines managed by signallers and only capable of having one out at a time.

Incidentally, in the film, on the old Somerset & Dorset, the driver of the S&D 2-8-0 loco is Donald Beale, later prominent in various films of the line in its final days.
 

Kentish RYS

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MOM=? Can't be man of the moment. Perhaps we didn't have them on the underground. That youtube single line working video had some similar systems although on the underground we had slightly different problems with rail anchors on the traction rails.
Although they don't have MOMs I'm sure from discussions/reading that London Underground have a broadly similar Response Operations Person but I can't recall what they are called. I think the ERU (Emergency Response Unit) is used a bit more as a second call in severe situations, or am I misremembering and it is them?
 

Kentish RYS

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Any news on if the existing signalling was damaged? Is it just because of the building/footbridge the station is closed or will they need to repair the signalling as well?
 

Mattplans

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Although they don't have MOMs I'm sure from discussions/reading that London Underground have a broadly similar Response Operations Person but I can't recall what they are called. I think the ERU (Emergency Response Unit) is used a bit more as a second call in severe situations, or am I misremembering and it is them?
Some of the operational duties belonging to a NR MOM, can be executed by a London Underground CSS based in a station (Customer Service Supervisor) who have track authorisation.

deployed to collect debris from the track or check for a trespasser. And assist in evacuating a train in an emergency.
 

Russel

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Just found the below quote on Facebook, from who I presume to be a local MP, if correct, it's positive to hear the canopy and bridge are structurally sound, so hopefully they can be saved.

Steve Darling MP

3h ·
Network Rail update on Paignton station:
The signal box at Paignton station is now operational again but the station remains closed to passengers as it remains unsafe. While structural assessments indicate that both the footbridge and canopy remain sound, they have sustained significant fire damage.
Network Rail are currently reviewing the arrangements required to enable the safe reopening of the station to passengers and will provide a further update as soon as more information becomes available.
In the meantime, services are currently starting and terminating at Exeter St Davids or Newton Abbot. Branch line services are operating to and from Torquay and a limited road replacement service continues to operate today between Newton Abbot and Paignton.
 

REVUpminster

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I don't believe XC run any double sets to Paignton? I know a ten car IET doesn't fit.
Five car voyagers are the norm, but sometimes only 4 cars.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Paignton still closed; not expected to open until 28 July 2026. The replacement bus stop is in Hyde Road so it must be going down the Torbay Road back to Torquay.

In a previous post it was reported that the Southend-Kingswear tour will run but not stopping at Paignton. The last two tour trains to Kingswear haven't picked up a steam locomotive at Taunton and went under diesel power, one arriving early. I don't think a loco was available.
 
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D6130

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Local press reporting this morning that three youths have been arrested in connection with the fire. (Sorry - can't do a quote on my phone).

Three boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a major fire that tore through Paignton railway station.

British Transport Police said the boys, aged 13, 15 and 16, were arrested in the Paignton area on Tuesday evening and taken into custody to be questioned by detectives. They were later released on conditional bail while inquiries continued, officers said.

The arrests came after the blaze ripped through the station building, prompting a large emergency response and widespread disruption to rail services.

There were no reports of any injuries, but rail passengers have been warned no trains were due to run to Paignton on Wednesday.
 

Annetts key

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How is it ensured that there is only ever one pilot for a section of line, preventing a second person being "appointed" concurrently? is it something controlled by the signaller?
In short, yes it's controlled by a signaller.

The signaller has to agree any arrangements with any other signallers in relevant signal boxes / PSB before pilot working can be introduced. There is a specific section about introducing pilot working in the rule book. And there is a specific form for recording the arrangements.

In addition to the appointment of the pilot, the start and end of the pilot worked section must be specified. Often these are signals but may also be stations.. Arrangements must be made to secure any trailing points that are not fitted with a facing point lock (FPL) that will now be facing for "wrong direction" moves.
 

dannyh73

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Have tried to send images of Paignton from tonight’s Kingswear-Southend charter but can’t seem to because of file size issues.. anyone know how to compress them down from an iPhone?
 
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RPI

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Has a 10-car IET ever ended up on a Paignton service accidentally? Presumably such a service would have been cancelled at Exeter, or detached the rear unit before continuing. In any case a 10-car is wasted on those services, whether they can call at Paignton or not, they are more important on Cornish/Bristol/South Wales.
No, always a 9 car and rarely a 5 car, it's one of the few trains that it's actually a pleasure when it's short formed.
 

REVUpminster

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Went down Saturday morning 25 July 2026 at 100hrs and 1700hrs to see out the Kingswear-Southend tour train. The dry weather has meant the tour trains in the last few weeks have not picked up a steam locomotive at Taunton.

Notices were up today and three station staff were sitting at a table behind the wire fence. All staff gone at 1700hrs. No work being carried on at the station or the demolition opposite. Gilpen don't work weekends. I suppose that's why Tuesday is the mooted date for reopening to the public. No rush down here. No priority. There is still a smell of acrid smoke in the air.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

From today There is a crane from Devon Lifting Services that I don't think Gilpen are using to demolish the building opposite. Maybe something happening to the station Sunday.

Paignton Station 25 July 2026 damage to footbridge.png
Paignton Station 25 July 2026 damage to footbridge 1.png
Paignton Station 25 July 2026 canopy outside station, damage to footbridge.png
 
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