Pathfinder - We're Going Everywhere Trains - July 18/19 2025

[Amaranthe]

This looks like a very unusual tour or technically a combination of tours as each section is available to purchase separately but a rover ticket is available for those who wish to join all 3 legs.

The most unusual thing for me is that the 2nd leg, THE EXE & TAW TOURER, is overnight departing Bristol TM at 2345 Friday night returning at 0745 Saturday morning.

I think a lot of stamina would be needed to partake in all 3 legs! (But I'm actually very tempted).

We're Going Everywhere Trains - Pathfinder Railtours

Hop aboard for three thrilling rail tours over two days, powered by Class 37 locomotives, as we journey from Reading to Hereford, taking in the scenic routes of Devon and Wales along the way.

www.pathfindertours.co.uk

THREE UNIQUE RAILTOURS – THREE LOOPING ITINERARIES, WITH TOP ‘N’ TAIL CLASSIC ENGLISH ELECTRIC BUILT CLASS 37 LOCOMOTIVES AT THE HELM
Here are three ‘chase the tail light’ railtours for your enjoyment, which can be booked individually or with a combined Rover ticket. The routing highlights are not usually associated with loco hauled passenger trains!

THE THAMES & KENNET COURIER

A really pleasant circular summer evening trip through town and country that roughly follows the course of the famous Kennet & Avon Canal eastwards, and featuring a clutch of Loops along the way, (including Bathampton, Woodborough, Hungerford and Theale Requested.) Also the Westbury East Curve. A Cottage Pie dish will be served and included in the fare. (Vegetarian option is available)

THE EXE & TAW TOURER

With long summer days giving optimum daylight hours, we present a rare opportunity to traverse both the Exmouth and Barnstaple Branchlines in full, loco hauled! We also include a traversal of the remains of the Taunton avoiding line, now part of the Fairwater Yard complex. A number of main line loops have also been requested.

THE SEVERN & WYE COTSWOLDIAN

Join us for a journey through the bucolic English countryside (and a bit of Wales too!). Our circular routing is Bristol-Avonmouth-Severn Tunnel-Newport-Hereford-Malvern-Worcester-Cheltenham-Gloucester-Sapperton Bank-Swindon-Bristol Parkway-Portbury (Portishead) branchline – Bristol, then set down back to Reading.

Highlights include: Bedminster Washing Line, Filton Curves and access line, Avonmnouth Bulk Terminal, Panteg & Pontrilas Goods Loops, Alstone Carriage Siding, Swindon Reception and the Portbury (Portishead) branchline to the Network Rail Limit.

This charter has been broken down into three segments, with a Rover ticket offered for anyone wishing to do all three sections, as well as individual journeys.

The onboard catering will include a buffet service and the Gricers Grill, plus real ale and cider bar.

 

[Kite159]

They have done similar sort of tours in the past, I remember one overnight tour visiting the various Thames branches (Henley, Bourne End. Windsor) overnight as it's the only time a charter can visit.

If I wasn't working I would have booked on it, for the novelty of visiting Exmouth & Barnstaple on a loco hauled train, I guess Okehampton would fall in the same boat of can only be done overnight now it's hourly.

 

[Class15]

This looks like a very unusual tour or technically a combination of tours as each section is available to purchase separately but a rover ticket is available for those who wish to join all 3 legs.

The most unusual thing for me is that the 2nd leg, THE EXE & TAW TOURER, is overnight departing Bristol TM at 2345 Friday night returning at 0745 Saturday morning.

I think a lot of stamina would be needed to partake in all 3 legs! (But I'm actually very tempted).

We're Going Everywhere Trains - Pathfinder Railtours

Hop aboard for three thrilling rail tours over two days, powered by Class 37 locomotives, as we journey from Reading to Hereford, taking in the scenic routes of Devon and Wales along the way.

www.pathfindertours.co.uk

Very interesting tour. Might have a look.

 

[Wuggie Norple]

I wonder what rolling stock will be used on these tours? Hopefully not coffins.

 

[Iskra]

The overnight leg looks appealing to me, but much will depend on the affordability of Sheffield-Bristol fares for the service trains to get there and back...

I was booked on a similar overnight tour a couple of years back that did lines around Bristol and South Wales with Pathfinder, but alas it was cancelled.

 

[fgwrich]

I wonder what rolling stock will be used on these tours? Hopefully not coffins.

More than likely, Yes. Either from the West Coast / Riviera or Eastern Rail Services stables*. Likely to be the former as this should involved WCRC 37s.

*though I think it has only been UK Railtours who have started to use those so far.

 

[31160]

Well the BLS has a tour going to Hastings on the Saturday I think that appeals a lot more to me than being stuck on a WCRC (non) air-conditioning rake all night

 

[DarloRich]

I would love a loco hauled trip to Barnstaple as I lived there in the past but not at silly AM! You wont see anything.

 

[The exile]

I was booked on a similar overnight tour a couple of years back that did lines around Bristol and South Wales with Pathfinder, but alas it was cancelled.

Chances of this one being lost to COVID are remoter!
I’m intrigued by the “Filton curves” as the route as described only involves one of the three unusual ones (one of which is actually a “straight” but let’s not split hairs). ISTR the 2021 version was booked to do all 3.

 

[trainmania100]

Well the BLS has a tour going to Hastings on the Saturday I think that appeals a lot more to me than being stuck on a WCRC (non) air-conditioning rake all night

Still no details of what that tour actually involves, I thought it would be up by now

 

[bleeder4]

Also the Hereford-Worcester line through Malvern. Very rarely visited by charters due to lengthy single line stretches and intensive service train timetable. A definite highlight there.

 

[Harpo]

I would love a loco hauled trip to Barnstaple as I lived there in the past but not at silly AM! You wont see anything.

Same for my pals & me too.

In the dark, in coffins (not seen anything else on Chingfinder recently) with no standing or open windows allowed and you’ve got to watch YouTube afterwards to see if there was any thrash!

 

[Kite159]

Same for my pals & me too.

In the dark, in coffins (not seen anything else on Chingfinder recently) with no standing or open windows allowed and you’ve got to watch YouTube afterwards to see if there was any thrash!

These days overnight is the only time a charter can visit Barnstaple. Maybe in the olden days when the Sunday service used to be 2 hourly there were paths but as it's hourly all week there is no spare paths.

 

[mjc]

I would love a loco hauled trip to Barnstaple as I lived there in the past but not at silly AM! You wont see anything.

Don’t forget that in mid-July it’ll be getting light from 3:30; I don’t know the timings of the trips but it won’t be dark for a good chunk of it…

 

[Sheldonian]

Normally love these tours and hàve been waiting a while for one. As Pathfinder principal market seems to center around the Midlands, real shame they havent been able to include a Midland pick up.
Maybe another year wait. Oh well. Hope the tour goes well. If it is fully booked then that vindicates the decision..

 

[Iskra]

Normally love these tours and hàve been waiting a while for one. As Pathfinder principal market seems to center around the Midlands, real shame they havent been able to include a Midland pick up.
Maybe another year wait. Oh well. Hope the tour goes well. If it is fully booked then that vindicates the decision..

They seem to have transitioned towards Bristol (or the South West) somewhat due to recent personnel and rolling stock supplier changes. I was using them a lot when they were picking up at Burton, but a lot of their tours start from faraway places now.

 

[Sheldonian]

Yes. Sure you are right.
Been spoiled a bit in the past with most things picking up in the Midlands somewhere.
For me, Bristol is that little bit too far and adds too much to the cost, so reluctantly will have to give a miss.
To be fare though loads of others still come through the Midlands, so there are others to chose from.
Should be a fantastic trip though. Hope everyone enjoys and it gets good support.

 

[The exile]

They seem to have transitioned towards Bristol (or the South West) somewhat due to recent personnel and rolling stock supplier changes. I was using them a lot when they were picking up at Burton, but a lot of their tours start from faraway places now.

Back to as things were 30-odd years ago!

 

[Kite159]

They seem to have transitioned towards Bristol (or the South West) somewhat due to recent personnel and rolling stock supplier changes. I was using them a lot when they were picking up at Burton, but a lot of their tours start from faraway places now.

Just depends where the stock is coming from. Burton starts made sense when the stock came from Burton.
Similar when Pathfinder were using the MK1 set based at Eastleigh they used to do more tours starting in the south.

 

[JonathanH]

Just depends where the stock is coming from.

Often Carnforth these days, although sometimes Southall or Burton. It also depends on where the stewards can board.