Pathfinder scores Bulleid hat-trick

PATHFINDER Tours has planned to use Bulleid 4-6-2 No. 35028 Clan Line for three trips in July.

“We like to think that this is something of a coup in as much that this attractive engine is not normally committed to being available to one tour promoter for a whole month,” said Pathfinder’s general manager Peterwatts.

“Furthermore, all three trips will start outside of London, giving enthusiasts living in the Bristol and surrounding areas a chance to ride behind what many view as the Southern’s flagship engine.”

Pembrokeshire tour

The first outing, on July 12, will take the Pacific far away from its familiar stomping ground – when it departs Bristol Temple Meads for Tenby and Pembroke Dock. Picking up at Cardiff, the train makes a rare steam-hauled visit to the Welsh resort of Tenby and commercial Pembroke Dock. Returning dieselhauled to Carmarthen, the train will reverse, allowing the 4-6-2 to head the trip back to Bristol via the Cardiff set down.

The second excursion, on July 18, begins at Eastleigh diesel-hauled to

Bristol, calling en route at Salisbury, Westbury, Trowbridge and Bath. With Clan Line in charge, the train sets for Stratford-upon-avon via Oxford. The return leg is routed via the North Warwickshire line, Birmingham Snow Hill, Worcester and Oxford.

West Country excursion

The third trip with No. 35028 starts from Stourbridge Junction dieselhauled on July 25, heading for Exeter via Cheltenham and Bristol.

Steam takes over at Temple Meads, the train calling at Bath and Westbury, before taking a water stop at Yeovil Junction. Instead of topping its tank standing in the station, Clan Line goes inside Yeovil Railway Centre’s yard, a move which allows passengers to follow suit and given time, a ride behind Barclay 0-4-0ST No. 1398 of 1915 Lord Fisher along the venue’s Wilderness branch.

On leaving Yeovil, the train takes the Southern route west to Exeter. The return is due to travel via Westbury for the final leg to Bath to Bristol. With Barton Hill no longer accepting steam, Clan Line will be stabled and serviced in St Philip’s Marsh depot during its stay in Bristol.