PATHFINDER TOURS FINALE! D1015 closes the chapter on 52 years of railtours + Glos Works Santa Steam

In this 200th year celebrating the Bicentenary of the birth of the modern railway, and the anniversary of Locomotions historic run along the Stockton & Darlington, we have finished 2025 saying farewell to a few workings and classes, last weekend GWR HST Castle Class sets and today, another end of an era with the final Pathfinder Railtour after the operator will cease trading after over 50 years, seeing another historic player in the railway industry consigned to the history books.

They celebrated in style with DTG Class 52 D1015 ‘Western Champion’ taking over the aptly named ‘Pathfinder Finale’ tour at Gloucester from WCRC 57008, which had been chosen because as a 47, it pulled the first ever Pathfinder tour.

Todays excursion had originated at Salisbury, and the Western looked the part hauling a rake of fully booked BR liveried stock up to Manchester, giving enthusiasts one last bash before Pathfinder Railtours closed its doors. @ZMaviation and I catch the finale railtour as it rolls in to pick up passengers during a brief stop at Cheltenham Spa, with the Western wearing the guise of long scrapped classmate D1001 ‘Western Pathfinder’ on one side in an appropriate nod to today’s events, caught by @BenjaminSealey71000 and we see the Wizzo make a sterling departure out of Cheltenham Spa with WCRC 57314 ‘Conwy Castle’ bringing up the rear.

@ZMaviation and I then headed over to Cheltenham Racecourse at the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway to check out their Christmas festivities with GWR new build 6880 ‘Betton Grange’ in action with GWR 3850, enjoying the Saturday Sunshine at the heritage line as volunteers used the time for some essential Winter maintenance. | 20.12.2025

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