Pathfinder’s yuletide tour trio

PATHFINDER Tours has come up with trio of `market specials' to complete a difficult Covid-hit year which included the loss of trips because its Train Operating Company, DB Cargo, could not crew three trains.

The Stroud outfit has listed the three new `specials' to maximise the number of stations that trains call at to attract the shop-early public; in trainspotting days, they would have been called `stoppers.'

On November 20, the `Northern Star' heads for York or alternatively Harrogate, the train starting from Salisbury and stopping at Warminster, Westbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham, Swindon, Oxford, Banbury and Leamington Spa – a classic example of a `stopper.'

Meanwhile, The `White Rose Express' departs from Cardiff on December 4, for a trip offering three different destinations. From Cardiff the train picks up at Newport (Mon), Bristol Parkway, Cam & Dursley, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Worcester Parkway, Bromsgrove and Birmingham New Street. The choice of destinations are York, Durham or Newcastle.

Pathfinder closes its year on December 11 with its `Chester Christmas Cracker', which starts from Eastleigh, stopping at Basingstoke, Reading West, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse and Gloucester.