Fond Farewell | The Pathfinder Finale - D1015 'Western Champion' - 20/12/25

Back in September, Pathfinder Tours announced they would sadly be coming to an end, as Chief Executive and Owner, Barry Cordell, enters retirement. The business ran it's first charter in 1973, under the name of F&W Railtours, having been founded by Tony Fielding and Peter Watts. The company rebranded as Pathfinder Railtours in 1987. For over 50 years, F&W and Pathfinder have been a mainstay of the UK railtour industry, having toured throughout Britain.

Pathfinder's Finale would see a run from Salisbury to Manchester, with British Rail Class 52 D1015 'Western Champion' taking charge of proceedings from Gloucester, a loco not unfamiliar from Pathfinder's workings over the years. The left side of the Western would take on the identity of D1001 'Western Pathfinder' for the occasion. Between Salisbury & Gloucester, the tour would be hauled by 57008 and 57314 'Conwy Castle', the former being ex-Class 47 47060, which ran the first F&W tour in 1973.

We initially catch the tour on its run up to Manchester, passing through Stockport Station, before meeting with the tour once more on a run through the Pennines at Walsden, with the early winter evening setting in. A quick dash to Manchester Victoria sees our final view of Pathfinders, with D1015 making a spirited departure ahead of the late journey back south.

LINKS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrickishRailYT/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brickishrail/

LOCOS & STOCK

VIDEO CONTENTS
0:00 - Stockport
1:52 - Walsden
2:54 - Manchester Victoria

Filmed on 20th December 2025.