The Pathfinder Railtours Gallery

Pathfinder Railtours has been proudly operating for over 50 years, bringing unforgettable rail experiences to passengers across the UK. Over the decades, we have run more than 1,000 trains, from scenic journeys to fantastic destinations for a great day out to special enthusiast trips exploring rare routes and industrial sites rarely open to the public. Pathfinder is a household name in the Railtour/ Charter sector.

28th June 2025 Pathfinder Railtours 'The Mazey Day Special' was hauled by the popular Western Class locomotive No. D1015 'Western Champion' on Saturday 28th June 2025. The locomotive operated the 1Z52 05:03 Dorridge - Penzance charter throughout, with West Coast Railways Class 47 No. 47815 'Great Western' at the rear of the train for the day to assist with stock movements at Penzance. The charter is pictured passing Norton Fitzwarren. (Photo: Adam Hiscock)

28th June 2025 Former British Rail Western Class locomotive No. D1015 'Western Champion' looked immaculate as ever with matching blue and grey stock storms over the summit at Whiteball with Pathfinder Railtours ‘The Mazey Day Special’ charter on Saturday 28th June 2025. The loco (complete with a Cornish Gnome in the front window) was operating as 1Z52 05:03 Dorridge to Penzance, West Coast Railways Class 47 No. 47815 'Great Western' was also at the rear of the train. (Photo: S A Ginn)

28th June 2025 The Diesel Traction Group former British Rail Western Class locomotive No. D1015 'Western Champion' passes Cogload Junction on Satruday 28th June 2025. The loco was hauling Pathfinder Railtours 'The Mazey Day Special' operating as 1Z52 05:03 Dorridge - Penzance, complete with a Cornish gnome in the front window of the locomotive. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

27th August 2024 Completing the final leg of the marathon jaunt to Aberdeen and Inverness over the Bank Holiday Weekend with Class 50 locomotives operating Pathfinder Tours 'The Grampian Highlander' charter from Gloucester. GBRf Class 66/3 No.66306 operated the tour between Taunton and Gloucester on both legs. Having delivered passengers home at midnight No.66306 is pictured at Taunton on the 27th August 2024 preparing to depart as 5Z53 00:20 Taunton - Burton Wetmore Sidings empty stock. (Photo: Adam Hiscock)

29th June 2024 Shattering the evening peace on Whiteball Bank Class 50 locomotives No. 50007 'Hercules' and No. 50049 'Defiance' climb Whiteball on the 29th June 2024. The pair were returning north with Pathfinder Railtours 'The Mazey Day Cornishman' charter. No. 50007 'Hercules' also lead on the return due to a speedo fault on No. 50049 'Defiance', the pair are pictured operating 1Z70 16:28 Penzance - Dorridge. This will be the last charter with this pair in GBRf livery, the repainting process into Large Logo will soon begin at Kidderminster. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th June 2024 Class 50s from The Class 50 Alliance pass Bradford on Tone making the climb to Whiteball on the 29th June 2024. No. 50007 'Hercules' and No. 50049 'Defiance' were operating Pathfinder Torus 'Mazey Day Cornishman' charter as 1Z69 06:10 Dorridge - Penzance. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

29th June 2024 Taken from a camera pole at 5m elevation, Fifty Fund Class 50 locomotives No. 50007 'Hercules' and No. 50049 'Defiance' pass Creech St Michael on the 29th June 2024. The GBRf liveried locomotives were making their last appearance in the GBRf livery while hauling Pathfinder Railtours 'The Mazey Day Cornishman' charter 1Z69 06:10 Dorridge - Penzance charter. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

1st June 2024 British Rail Class 52 No. D1015 'Western Champion' returns north on Saturday 1st June 2024 with the Pathfinder Railtours ‘English Riviera Air Show’ 1Z52 17:57 Paignton to Tame Bridge Parkway charter. GBRF Class 50 No. 50007 'Hercules' was attached at the rear of the train throughout the day. (Photo: S A Ginn)

1st June 2024 The first working of a Class 52 ‘Western’ on the Devon main line for just under eight years occurred on Saturday 1st June 2024. when No. D1015 'Western Champion' headed Pathfinder Tours ‘English Riviera Airshow’ charter, the 1Z50 06:20 Tame Bridge Parkway to Paignton. Carrying the identity of sister locomotive D1011 'Western Thunderer' on one side only, D1015 'Western Champion' is seen in fine form, having just passed through Whiteball Tunnel. Class 50 No. 50007 'Hercules' was at the rear of the formation. (Photo: Russell Ayre)

1st June 2024 Former BR Western No. D1015 'Western Champion' heads for the Devon Riviera on Saturday 1st June 2024 while hauling Pathfinder Tours 'English Riviera Air Show' charter. No. D1015 'Western Champion' is pictured passing Fordgate between Bridgwater and Taunton operating 1Z50 06:20 Tame Bridge Parkway - Paignton. (Photo: Ian Draper)

1st June 2024 Former British Rail 'Western' No. D1015 'Western Champion' powers north at Cogload Junction on the evening of Saturday 1st June 2024. The loco was returning Pathfinder Railtours 'English Riviera Airshow' charter 1Z52 17:57 Paington - Tame Bridge Parkway. No. 50007 'Hercules' was also attached to the rear for insurance. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

1st June 2024 Western No. D1015 'Western Champion' (running as D1011 Western Thunderer) heads west at Cat Hill Farm crossing with Pathfinder Railtours ‘English Riviera Air Show’ railtour on Saturday 1st June 2024. The colourful ensemble running as the 1Z50 06:20 Tame Bridge Parkway to Paignton. (Photo: S A Ginn)

1st June 2024 After an absence of nearly eight years Taunton was able to enjoy the sound of maybach engines operating through the town again on the 1st June 2006. Pathfinder Railtours used the popular Western Locomotive No. D1015 'Western Champion' to haul their 'English Riviera Airshow' charter. Having been heard long before the train came into view the locomotive is pictured passing Allerford hauling 1Z50 06:20 Tame Bridge Parkway - Paignton charter. Fifty Fund/ GBRf liveried Class 50 No. 50007 'Hercules' was also attached to the rear of the train for insurance. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

4th May 2024 Pathfinder Railtours operating their 'Spring Cornish Explorer' with classic English Electric Traction on the 4th May 2024. West Coast Railways Class 37 locomotives No.37668 and No.37518 operated 1Z65 05:53 Dorridge - Penznace with a complete rake of BR Blue/ Grey Mk2 Mk1 stock and are pictured passing Allerford near Victory Crossing on route to Devon and Cornwall. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

4th May 2024 Running 10 minutes ahead of schedule on the glorious evening of Saturday 4th May 2024 West Coast Railways Class 37 locomotives No.37518 and No.37668 roar northbound through Cogload Junction with the returning Pathfinder Railtours - Spring Cornish Explorer, running as 1Z66 15:30 Penzance to Dorridge. (Photo: S A Ginn)

24th June 2023 Having debuted in the area three weeks earlier on weed killing duties, Saturday 24th June 2024 witnessed the first passenger workings of GBRf operated Class 69 locomotives in the South West, when Pathfinder Tours operated a ‘Mazey Day’ special to Penzance featuring a pair of the machines. With the Blackdown Hills providing the backdrop, and in some superb evening sunshine, No. 69006 'Pathfinder Railtours 'Peter Watts 50 Years of Service 1973-2023'' and No. 69005 'Eastleigh' approach Cogload Junction with the return leg, the 1Z70 1628 Penzance to Tame Bridge Parkway. No. 69006 'Pathfinder Railtours 'Peter Watts 50 Years of Service 1973-2023'' is sporting a “F&W Railtours” headboard, the forerunner of Pathfinder Tours, and had been named ‘Pathfinder Railtours’,by Peter Watts of Pathfinder Tours at Gloucester station on Friday 23rd June 2023, an event held to mark the 50th Anniversary of Pathfinder Tours, during which time some 1,100 enthusiast railtours have been operated by the company throughout the UK. (Photo: Russell Ayre)

24th June 2023 GBRf Class 69 locomotives No. 69006 'Pathfinder Railtours 'Peter Watts 50 Years of Service 1973-2023'' and No. 69005 'Eastleigh' haul Pathfinder Tours 'Mazey Day Special' north through Cogload Junction on Saturday 24th June 2023. The pair were operating as 1Z70 16:28 Penzance - Tame Bridge Parkway returning from their visit to Cornwall. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th June 2023 Pathfinder Railtours operated 'The Pathfinder Mazey Day Special' charter on Saturday 24th June 2023. GBRf Class 69 locomotives No. 69005 'Eastleigh' and No. 69006 'Pathfinder Railtours 'Peter Watts 50 Years of Service 1973-2023'' made their passenger debut in the southwest by hauling the charter throughout. The locomotives are pictured at Cogload Junction operating as 1Z69 05:44 Tame Bridge Parkway - Penzance. The tour was later halted at Newton Abbot for an hour due to a points failure at Plymouth. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th May 2023 West Coast Railways Class 33 locomotives double-head Pathfinder Railtours charter 'The Crompton Torbay Venturer' past Silk Mills on the 29th May 2023. The southbound leg of the charter was operating as 1Z25 07:00 Burton on Trent - Paignton with No.33029 leading No.33025 (Photo: Phil Izzard)

29th May 2023 West Coast Class 33 locomotives No.33029 and No.33025 clear the summit at Whiteball double-heading the 1Z25 07:00 Burton-on-Trent to Paignton 'Crompton Torbay Venturer' charter on Bank Holiday Monday 29th May 2023. (Photo: S A Ginn)

Next Page
You are currently on Page 1 of 7 pages.

Back to Gallery Home