BBC - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8myezmlz5o

 
Journey Check at 09.51 - Fire seems to be out but no trains until tomorrow

 
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/paignton-fire-what-means-gwr-11069269

 
Initial belief when discovered is it was caused by arson.
Paignton signaller had to evacuate and stop the 1st train of the day using hand signals.

 

Thank goodness for local signallers.  Would not have been so easy if the signaller was sat at a desk in Didcot.

 
No trains to Paignton on Wednesday either.   However a “limited” train shuttle will run between Newton Abbot and Torquay, calling at Torre.

 

Reading the maps, there's probably not a crossover available, nor are the lines signalled bi-directional, so it's going to be a mashup, a pilotman, very "special" ...

 
Indeed.   There is a warning on Journeycheck that all trains will use Platform 1 at Torre and Torquay.

 
From the BBC website

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20e5qx42gpo

 
Today the trains are running empty Torquay-Paignton-Torquay stopping at the usual mark.
The booking hall, ticket office untouched. The roof of the old newsagents and the footbridge suffered most damage.
I've uploaded some photos from today here because it's easier.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/paignton-station-footbridge-on-fire-21-07-26.304899/page-4

 
GWR/NR are aiming for a re-opening of Tuesday.  Initially was Monday but pushed back a day so aspirations are more realistic. 
Considerations are a temporary entrance via the car park needs to be made, train formations need to be restricted to prevent any part being under the damaged structures and there'd be no direct access between platforms 1 and 2.

 

If the steelwork is ok then it's a matter of stripping out the wood that's likely to fall down and that's what they seem to be doing. I went down yesterday and will go again tomorrow. Let's hope they are working. Gilpen demolishing the building opposite don't work weekends. One of the reasons it's taking six weeks.

 

It has been noted by us on the admin team here that those images are only viewable to registered members of 'railforums'.  Any guest reader there just gets a blank.

Many, many, years ago, I registered there as a member: I have no recollection even of the username I used, never mind the password.

If you could possibly post those photos where they can be viewed here on the Coffee Shop forum, REVUpminster, that would be much appreciated.

Chris from Nailsea. 

 
I can see them....and I'm not logged in for years!

 
I find it very difficult to upload here. There's no dopbox. I have in the past but first had to put on youtube if a video or flkr if an image.
Maybe Chris B can transfer them to here.

 

welllll.....in might be easy



I can see the photo above - can we all?

 
Paignton station. fire at footbridge 21 July 2026 by Robert, on Flickr

Fire at Paignton Station footbridge 21 July 2026 by Robert, on Flickr

I've put them on flkr. The image box here doesn't work for me so haven't used it.
These two are not mine.

 
Painton Station fire 23 July 2026 2 by Robert, on Flickr

20260723_092147 by Robert, on Flickr

Painton Station fire 23 July 2026 5 by Robert, on Flickr

20260723_093144 by Robert, on Flickr

 
Painton Station fire 23 July 2026 7 train in station by Robert, on Flickr

Train in platform empty Torquay-Paignton-Torquay

 
https://youtu.be/LMEVYdqjwjI

https://youtu.be/LMEVYdqjwjI

 
Many thanks for your adding all of that content here on the Coffee Shop forum, REVUpminster.

Chris from Nailsea. 

 
From what I saw the goods shed was not damaged, maybe smoke damage, and the doors look undamaged. In the shed is the booking hall, ticket office, empty cafe, and the signalling and level crossing panel.
The seat of the fire was the footbridge and newsagents kiosk that has been closed for years. The fire also damage the canopy roof.

I'll go down again today as I have been updating other things. The demolition opposite, Paignton Picture House new lift shaft and staircase (extremely slow job) and new temporary car park in Victoria Square and the new sea defences. A lot going on in Paignton. The council have been given money to demolish things but need a developer to build things.

 
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.

The footbridge does have significant damage.
Paignton Station 25 July 2026 damage to footbridge 1 by Robert, on Flickr

General view of area. There is a crane from Devon lifting services which I don't think Gilpen are using to demolish the building opposite. Maybe something happening Sunday or Monday to station.
Paignton Station 25 July 2026 damage to footbridge by Robert, on Flickr

Damaged roofing to canopy removed
Paignton Station 25 July 2026 canopy outside station, damage to footbridge by Robert, on Flickr

 
Kingswear-Southend tour train leaving at 1730hrs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVMD41t3N3M

 
There was a rail tour which ran through to Kingswear via Paignton yesterday.  While it did stop at Paignton for operational purposes apparently passengers were not able to leave the train.