Paignton station relocation / modernisation / expansion & regeneration of the area?

RPI · 24 Jul 2026

The reason 10 car IET's aren't permitted is because they don't fit between the two signals*, only about 7 actually fit in the platform but that's no issue for IET's as they have selective door opening.

*I seem to recall that they may actually technically fit but there is very little leeway, however, I'm sure someone will clarify that.

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MarkyT · 24 Jul 2026

RPI said:
The reason 10 car IET's aren't permitted is because they don't fit between the two signals*, only about 7 actually fit in the platform but that's no issue for IET's as they have selective door opening.

*I seem to recall that they may actually technically fit but there is very little leeway, however, I'm sure someone will clarify that.

The nose at one or both ends of a 10-car IET could be past the signal in the 255m of #2 but the wheelbase would likely be within the platform track circuits so signalling could permit a reversal and the crossings should reopen after the train passes.

Problems:
1. It would require very accurate positioning on arrival.
2. The driver might not be able to see the signal for departure from the cab, being so close.

At 261m between signals, #1 is slightly better though still very tight. About 20m of both platforms was lost at resignalling when the new colour light platform starting signal on #2 and the parallel ground shunt signal for #1 were placed 25m from the road in accordance with modern standards. The old semaphores were much closer to the crossing.

RPI · 24 Jul 2026

MarkyT said:
The nose at one or both ends of a 10-car IET could be past the signal in the 255m of #2 but the wheelbase would likely be within the platform track circuits so signalling could permit a reversal and the crossings should reopen after the train passes.

Problems:
1. It would require very accurate positioning on arrival.
2. The driver might not be able to see the signal for departure from the cab, being so close.

At 261m between signals, #1 is slightly better though still very tight. About 20m of both platforms was lost at resignalling when the new colour light platform starting signal on #2 and the parallel ground shunt signal for #1 were placed 25m from the road in accordance with modern standards. The old semaphores were much closer to the crossing.

I thought that was the case, I seem to remember when they were new they were meant to be able to operate in pairs to Paignton, the spec was technically met, but in real world scenarios it didn't!

brad465 · 25 Jul 2026

RPI said:
I thought that was the case, I seem to remember when they were new they were meant to be able to operate in pairs to Paignton, the spec was technically met, but in real world scenarios it didn't!

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.

D6975 · 26 Jul 2026

RPI said:
I don't believe XC run any double sets to Paignton? I know a ten car IET doesn't fit.

They don't at the moment, but returning from holiday in Paignton several years ago my son and I had a 9 coach voyager set back to Bristol. (vice HST)

RPI · 26 Jul 2026

D6975 said:
They don't at the moment, but returning from holiday in Paignton several years ago my son and I had a 9 coach voyager set back to Bristol. (vice HST)

Must have had one or two coaches locked out from Paignton!

dk1 · 26 Jul 2026

D6975 said:
They don't at the moment, but returning from holiday in Paignton several years ago my son and I had a 9 coach voyager set back to Bristol. (vice HST)

Yes I recall double Voyagers on the Torbay branch under Virgin ownership.

D6975 · 28 Jul 2026

RPI said:
Must have had one or two coaches locked out from Paignton!

No, all coaches available from Paignton. We went to the back to get an ultra quiet coach. Because of the sub there were no seat reservations which meant the front unit was well loaded. The 221 on the back was much quieter, we travelled in coach 8 of 9 and the door to 9 was comfortably on the platform. Dep from up platform.

REVUpminster · 6 Aug 2026

The 2015 Paignton masterplan rises from the ashes. It could be incorporated into the current plans for the road outside which had been delayed first by roadworks in Sands Road and the fire opposite.

Russel · 6 Aug 2026

REVUpminster said:
The 2015 Paignton masterplan rises from the ashes. It could be incorporated into the current plans for the road outside which had been delayed first by roadworks in Sands Road and the fire opposite.
View attachment 209032

Is there really a need for a giant canopy?

Davester50 · 6 Aug 2026

REVUpminster said:
The 2015 Paignton masterplan rises from the ashes. It could be incorporated into the current plans for the road outside which had been delayed first by roadworks in Sands Road and the fire opposite.
View attachment 209032

I just get East Croydon vibes with the suspension arrangement.
That's not in a good way...

REVUpminster · 6 Aug 2026

These are the delayed road plan construction of which was meant to have started January 2026. You can also see the size of the buildings being demolished opposite.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Aug 2026 ==

This is another plan by the residents association. A conservatory.

Station Square Paignton 2 27 November 2024.png

Russel · 6 Aug 2026

REVUpminster said:
These are the delayed road plan construction of which was meant to have started January 2026. You can also see the size of the buildings being demolished opposite.
View attachment 209037

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Aug 2026 ==

This is another plan by the residents association. A conservatory.
View attachment 209038

The residents association drawing is so much better.

Davester50 · 6 Aug 2026

Russel said:
The residents association drawing is so much better.

Yes!

Benjwri · 7 Aug 2026

Russel said:
The residents association drawing is so much better.

But not good... Just look at this summer, it'll make the area under it unbearably hot in the sun, and by extension probably the ticket hall.

MarkyT · 7 Aug 2026

Benjwri said:
But not good... Just look at this summer, it'll make the area under it unbearably hot in the sun, and by extension probably the ticket hall.

It's not an enclosed space, but perhaps the roof needn't be entirely glazed. It could admit more light than the old street-facing canopy that presumably must now all come down. Special glass or applied films can be used to limit solar heat gain.

Benjwri · 7 Aug 2026

MarkyT said:
It's not an enclosed space, but perhaps the roof needn't be entirely glazed. It could admit more light than the old street-facing canopy that presumably must now all come down. Special glass or applied films can be used to limit solar heat gain.

Regardless of being an enclosed space it’ll be very hot under it. Realistically we need to be proving more shade with warmer summers, not removing shades.

REVUpminster · Sunday at 20:27

I suppose this could count as modernisation as I cannot add updates to the Paignton fire thread. Maybe a mod will move it.

An exit to the rear of the staff accommodation has been built. This was the 22 August 2026. The Dft have given some money to be spent on the station building which could remain closed for months

Paignton station new exit 22 August 2026.png

brad465 · Sunday at 21:01

How easily could the Sands Rd LC be closed? There's a road bridge just to the south so it's not like an alternative route doesn't exist.

REVUpminster · 2026-08-31T07:15:21+0100

brad465 said:
How easily could the Sands Rd LC be closed? There's a road bridge just to the south so it's not like an alternative route doesn't exist.

It's basically just a one way cut through from Dartmouth Rd to Sand's Rd. You can only turn left into it from the Dartford Rd or come across from Emsleigh Rd.

It does however provide an exit from Station Lane which is one way for the last 50 yards. That would be the sticking point.

MarkyT · 2026-08-31T07:58:10+0100

REVUpminster said:
It's basically just a one way cut through from Dartmouth Rd to Sand's Rd. You can only turn left into it from the Dartford Rd or come across from Emsleigh Rd.

It does however provide an exit from Station Lane which is one way for the last 50 yards. That would be the sticking point.

The remainder of Sands Rd on the west side of the railway could become two way so you'd turn right at the end of Station Lane towards Dartmouth Rd instead of left over the crossing.

BR last tried to close it the 80s when planning for the new signalling. The owner of the shop on the corner was very vociferous in opposition.

The over bridge about 100m south of the crossing was specifically built by the GWR before WW2 to allow Sands Rd to close. This was essential to make space for the new five platform layout planned. That project was abandoned at outbreak of war and never restarted.

REVUpminster · 2026-08-31T11:45:17+0100

MarkyT said:
The remainder of Sands Rd on the west side of the railway could become two way so you'd turn right at the end of Station Lane towards Dartmouth Rd instead of left over the crossing.

BR last tried to close it the 80s when planning for the new signalling. The owner of the shop on the corner was very vociferous in opposition.

The over bridge about 100m south of the crossing was specifically built by the GWR before WW2 to allow Sands Rd to close. This was essential to make space for the new five platform layout planned. That project was abandoned at outbreak of war and never restarted.

There would be no point in making Sands Rd two-way; just reverse the turn left sign to turn right at the end of Station Lane. Trouble is a lot of traffic comes down Emsleigh Rd from the surrounding roads. A lot of one way streets.

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