25th January 2003

Pathfinder Tours
The Wizard Express / Manchester Excursion

Tour postponed to 12th April 2003 as a result of EWS not completing the necessary paperwork in time for the original planned running date.

Planned route & locos:

Booked Locos Booked Route
2 pairs of EWS 37's (second pair assisting in the North-West area) Reading - Didcot Parkway - Swindon - Stroud - Cheltenham Spa - Lickey - Selly Oak - Birmingham New Street - Water Orton - Burton-upon-Trent - Stenson Jn - Sheet Stores Jn - Toton - Chesterfield - Dore West Jn - Chinley - Ashburys - Manchester Victoria - Bolton - Chorley - Preston - Wigan North Western - Springs Branch Area
Springs Branch Area - Wigan Wallgate - Rainford - Knowsley Reversing Spur
Knowsley Reversing Spur - Knowsley Potter Group DC
Knowsley Potter Group DC - Knowsley Reversing Spur
Knowsley Reversing Spur - Rainford - Wigan Wallgate - (via Springs Branch Goods Lines) - Golbourne Jn - Parkside Jn - Eccles - Manchester Victoria - Ashton Moss North Jn - Denton Jn - Stockport - Macclesfield - Stoke-on-Trent - Stafford - Bushbury Jn - Bescot Stadium - Aston - Birmingham New Street - (reverse of outward route) - Reading

Notes :
(1) Advertised as 'The Manchester Excursion' for passengers travelling to Manchester only.


Timings (Advertised Only)
(from Gary Thornton)

Location Advertised (out) Advertised (rtn)
Reading 06.10d 22.55a
Didcot Parkway 06.30d 22.35a
Swindon 07.00d 22.10a
Kemble 07.20d 21.50a
Stroud 07.40d 21.35a
Cheltenham Spa 08.25d 21.10a
Birmingham New Street 09.20d 20.15a
Manchester Victoria 12.30a ~ ??.??d ??.??a ~ 17.45d


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