Three Christmas markets on one Pathfinder day trip
PATHFINDER Tours’‘Cotswold Caper’ ran with eight coaches on October 29 and featured some unusual track. A short train, top-and-tailed by Class 37 Nos. 37668 and 37676, was essential for it to fit into the loops and sidings rarely visited by passenger trains.
The South Marston branch to the old Honda factory in Swindon was a highlight. Apparently, it was the first time a passenger train traversed this route which was restricted for freight only. The branch closed in 2021 and Network Rail gave clearance for the charter only a week beforehand.
Due to the failure of Class 55 Deltic No. 55009 Alycidon with a cracked exhaust silencer, there is a change of motive power for the December 3 ‘North Eastern Christmas Markets’ outing from Swindon to Newcastle; it will now be the Class Forty Preservation Society’s Class 40 No. 40145 at the head of the
Riviera Trains vintage Mk.1 carriages. No. 40145 will come on at Burton upon Trent sidings but will not pick up in the station. Starting from Swindon at 6.30pm behind a West Coast Railways diesel, it picks up at Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Dorridge, Tamworth and Derby. Return is via the outward route, arriving back in Swindon at 11.20pm.
Timings are to allow passengers time to visit a choice of three Christmas markets: York, noon to 6pm; Durham, 1.15pm to 4.45pm; and Newcastle after crossing the King Edward Bridge, 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Tickets were still available as Heritage Railway closed for press at www.pathfindertours.co.uk/events/ the-north-eastern-christmas-markets
The sole tour so far announced for next year is the four-day Spring Highlander land cruise excursion from April 14-17. Joining stations on April 14 are Cheltenham Spa, Stroud, Kemble, Swindon, Oxford,
Banbury, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Birmingham International and Derby. It will then head north to York before taking the East Coast Main Line to Newcastle, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Glasgow. Passengers will stay in a city hotel for three nights.
Continuing on April 15, travel is via Gleneagles and Perth to Dundee, where there is a choice of off-train activities. The following day, the tour heads over the West Highland Line from Dumbarton to Fort William.
The train retraces its northerly route on April 17 through the Forth-Clyde belt and heads down the ECML, crossing the Border Bridge at Berwick for pick-up points south. The cost is £1349 for a premier seat, including full dining. Bookings are strong at present and this tour normally runs full.