Pathfinder 2023

Its all down to extra Northern services I believe why Shap & the coast are no longer possible.
Also strange Pathfinder cannot offer dining from Crewe yet RTC do on every CCE or CME. I have noticed similar on other Pathfinder trips.

 

These are WCRC operations so the same applies on the coast (loco off at 10A) and says it is diesel rather than the 86 from Preston on the Fells trip.

 

Book a hotel?

 

Unfortunately that's another night or two's extra expense (especially at flexible rates) plus dog boarding costs etc, usually not much change from £150-£200.

If I feel a tour offers really good value for money (decent steam mileage/interesting route) and I'm confident it might actually run as advertised, I will happily book a hotel, however, I'm not convinced that either of these tours offer much over the standard RTC CME/CCE, which I can both just about do in a day by train from home.

There's also the ongoing risk that, should there be a rail strike, I might not actually be able to reach my accommodation the day before or after, meaning I could be out of pocket for the cost of the tour.
The Leamington pickup on the original tour was at least close enough to home that I could have got a lift/bus/taxi in that situation, plus the Travelodge there is pretty cheap compared to somewhere like Birmingham.

So far, of the 4 tours I've booked for this year, 1 has been cancelled, one has been postponed by 3 months and one looks very certain to be cancelled or heavily amended due to the Didcot-Oxford issues, so my confidence level for booking anything isn't massively high at the moment!

 

This was the tour that originally made me look at how long meals tale on Pathfinder.
Whilst dining is now available from Birmingham seems a meal takes longer than 4 hours. If I had to spend 4 hours on a meal I would tell them to clear it all away long before then.
Mind you years ago one BA flight a week to Orlando used a Caledonian aircraft and crew only time I have seen drinks, dinner, duty free and breakfast as one continuous event.
https://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/events/the-cambrian-coast-express/
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66174/2023-04-21/detailed

 

That Cambrian Coast trip is a long old day isn't it? 0530 from BTM and back at 0115, with around 90 mins in Pwllheli.
I admire PF for persisting with it, they're the only promoter attempting any Cambrian trips this year. With the new paths that TFW are using it must be a heck of headache to organise a trip like this.

 

Pwllheli has always been a marathon day out. Bare minimum it's 10 hours there and back from Shrewsbury with a couple of hours break at Pwllheli, and like you say that's before pathing with the increased services along the line. Add in the fact there's only one ERTMS fitted class 37 available at the moment and it makes it a bit risky!

 

Quite enjoying the Spring Highlander.



It's a long train...
The loco made it safely into the loop, the tail end was too long....

 

Great to see 40145 thundering through Eastleigh this morning on the The Golden Anniversary Rail tour.

 

Also powering through Wareham as well, where like the WCRC crew on the Wareham service I was hoping it would run about 5 early and pass the Wareham service in the station, but no such luck.
Also for the second Saturday running a BR Green Class 47 graced Wareham on the back of a tour.

 

Bringing the thunder up Sapperton Bank, this morning. Enjoy

 

At Weymouth yesterday. Great day out.

 

Not really a diesel fan, but this must be one of the best looking diesel locos around. In that livery even looks better than a green Deltic.
Anyone know why the 47 was along for the ride as it is possible to propel into to Jersey Sidings and it did mean they had to run both locos round for the return.

 

A much supported risk evaluation by WCR.

Those onboard and at the line side experienced a phenomenal climb of Bincombe unassisted. However, Lickey was attacked at just 42mph following a speed restriction from Worcestershire Parkway to Bromsgrove South, a hard ask for the 40 on wet rails as the 47 kicked into life after speed dropped rapidly, cresting Blackwell at 25mph.

 

The climb of Bincombe out of Weymouth was definitely the highlight for me. It was a good trip all round. Plenty of fast running on busy main lines, scenic meandering on quiet rural lines, plus a few steep hills thrown in as well. A good mix of everything.
It was potentially my last trip in WCR Mk1s, given how no-one seems to really know whether they'll still be running after 30th June. So if it was my last trip, then it was a memorable swansong.

 

https://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/events/the-cumbrian-fells-steam-express/

From Cardiff and the Welsh Marches with d/h 47/57 to Carnforth (and return from Preston). 35018 expected to run this unassisted on steam legs.

 

Thanks for info, so 35018 not Tangmere?

 

Yes, updating website is on the marketing teams “to do list”. Will be done tomorrow.