Fire risk leads to both 37703 'Vulcan' & 37275 out at the P&DSR! + 43055 & 43050 Midland Pullman ECS

A return to the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway today where, for the first time in preservation, both of the Class 37s are in operation together this week!

Things have evolved there somewhat since our trips last week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NseAPbufOcU&t=535s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnwoH7N_cqE where, given the rising temperatures, having diesels on the later trains of the day hasn’t been enough to mitigate lineside fires. The P&DSR operates a special fire train which can be pushed into action at a moments notice to deal with fires, but given the UK is now entering its fifth heatwave this year, the heritage railway have had to do the sensible thing and make more use of their 37s, not a decision taken lightly during peak season where holiday makers want the steam haulage, but absolutely the right one in these warm conditions.

The operation today saw a steam locomotive each top and tailed with a 37, with 7827 ‘Lydham Manor’ top and tailed with 37703 ‘Vulcan’ on the Devon Belle Observation Saloon set, and 6975 top and tailed with Large Prairie 4110 on the second rake.

All departures from Paignton Queens Park were hauled by a 37, with the steam locomotive then working each respective train back from Kingswear up until 14.15pm when 4110 came off and 6975 operated solo, then 15.00pm when the Manor came off at Paignton and 37703 operated solo.

Given the ride behind 37703 last Friday, it would have been rude not to complete the set and bag 6975 today! I’m lead to believe the situation will be monitored closely but the plan is for this top and tailed/ diesel later in the day fire risk mitigation operation to continue for the remainder of the week, with top and tailed operations possibily coming into effect on Friday into the weekend and a diesel only diagram operation on Sunday if temperatures continue to rise, presenting a rare opportunity this week to catch both of the Class 37s in action.

Conditions were perfect for capturing today’s movements, with the the harbour busy with ships including the UK's only coal fired paddle steamer 'Kingswear Castle' and we even had an impromptu flypast from Spitfire G-CLXB on a pleasure flight out of Dunkeswell passing over Kingswear and the Britannia Naval College!

Later in the day we caught the LSL Midland Pullman HST which had worked an ECS move from Crewe H.S down to stable at Goodrington, ahead of tomorrow’s 'Yorkshire Coast Pullman' railtour from Paignton to York and Scarborough. | 11.08.2026

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