That's all Folks! 52 years of Pathfinder Tours comes to an end with the Pathfinder Finale.
To commemorate the occasion Pathfinders chose Class 52 D1015 'Western Champion' to work the tour from Gloucester to Manchester Victoria. Suitably masquerading as long since scrapped classmate D1001 'Western Pathfinder' to acknowledge the final day.
The Western wore the 'Pathfinder Finale' headboard which was based on the 'Western Finale' carried by D1023 'Western Fusilier' on the 12th February 1977 which ran from Exeter St Davids to York. The tour marked the end of the Class 52s as final five were withdrawn from traffic in the February of that year.
We begin at Bristol Parkway, hauled by a pair of Class 57s 57008 and 57314. With 57008 requested to work the train being the first locomotive to haul the F&W tours as Class 47060. We then alight at Gloucester to capture the loco swap as D1015 comes onto the train which took over the leg to Manchester and return.
A truly sad day for the railtour industry. The team at Pathfinders have always been a pleasure to travel with. Thanks for the memories Pathfinder Tours!
Thanks for watching.
A rail tour commemorating the end of Pathfinder Tours after 52 years features Class 52 D1015 'Western Champion' operating from Gloucester to Manchester Victoria. The locomotive was styled as D1001 'Western Pathfinder' for the occasion, carrying a headboard inspired by a previous event in 1977. The journey began at Bristol Parkway, hauled initially by Class 57s 57008 and 57314. The tour marked the final operations of the Class 52 diesel-electric locomotives, which were withdrawn from service in early 1977.
Fishplate has identified 7 locomotives in this video. We’ve also matched 6 operators . Create a free account to see where they appear, unlock timestamps and locations, and view the full breakdown.
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