22nd November 2025

Pathfinder Railtours
The Chester Christmas Explorer

Locos Used 37669, 37706 & 47746 'Chris Fudge'
Stock Used 6158+5985+6054+3325+1200+3397+3386+3333+3345+80042+3356+3364+17105

Route :
1Z42 : Oxford Parkway to Blackburn
1Z43 : Blackburn to Oxford Parkway

Loco(s) Route
37669 + 37706 Oxford Parkway - Oxford - Didcot North Jn - Foxhall Jn - Swindon - Kemble - Stroud - Stonehouse - Standish Jn - Gloucester Yard Jn - Gloucester - Lydney - Chepstow - Severn Tunnel Junction - Maindee East Jn - Maindee North Jn - Cwmbran - Abergavenny - Hereford - Leominster - Ludlow - Craven Arms - Church Stretton - Sutton Bridge Jn - Shrewsbury - Gobowen - Ruabon - Wrexham General - Saltney Jn - Chester
37669 + 37706 (2) Chester - Mickle Trafford - Helsby - Frodsham Jn - Runcorn East - Acton Grange Jn - Warrington Bank Quay - Winwick Jn - Wigan North Western - Farington Jn - Lostock Hall Jn - Blackburn
37669 + 37706 (2) Blackburn - Accrington - Gannow Jn - Copy Pit - Stansfield Hall Jn - Todmorden - Littleborough - Rochdale - Miles Platting - Manchester Victoria - Ordsall Lane Jn - Eccles - Astley - Newton-le-Willows - Earlestown - Winwick Jn - Warrington Bank Quay - Acton Grange Jn - Runcorn East - Frodsham Jn - Helsby - Mickle Trafford - Chester - (reverse of outward route) - Oxford Parkway

Notes :
(1) This was Pathfinder Railtours' penultimate railtour.
(2) 47746 was added to the rear of the train due to failure of the generator car.
(3) The return leg of the tour was delayed at Hereford, due to failed toilets on the train.

Source : Richard Szwejkowski (joined/left the tour at Lydney)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Realtime Trains)

M.C Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual M.C
0.00 Oxford Parkway 06.30d [P1] 06.29   00.08a [P2] 01.29 254.36
? Woodstock Road Jn 06/32 06/31   00/06 01/27 ?
? Oxford North Jn 06/33½ [UR] 06/34   00/04 [DB] 01/23 ?
? Oxford 06.36a ~ 06.41d [P3] [UR] 06.37 ~ 06.42   23.55a ~ 00.01d [P4] [DM] 01.17 ~ 01.21 250.76
? Hinksey North 06/43½ 06/43   23/52 ? ?
? Kennington Jn 06/44½ 06/45   23/51 01/11 ?
13.10 Didcot North Jn 06/55 06/53   23/43 01/03 ?
13.61 Foxhall Jn 06/57 [DM] 06/55   23/41 01/00 240.55
? Wantage Road 07/02½ 07/04   23/34 00/52 ?
? Challow 07/05½ 07/07   23/31 [UM] 00/48 ?
26.45 Uffington 07/07½ 07/09   23/29 00/47 227.71
37.29 Swindon 07.24a ~ 07.34d [P1] 07.25 ~ 07.39   23.10a ~ 23.18d [P1] 00.28 ~ 00.32 217.07
? Rodbourne Jn 07/38 07/42   23/07 00/23 ?
51.05 Kemble 07.52a ~ 07.55d [P2] 07.54 ~ 07.57   22.51a ~ 22.54d [P1] 00.08 ~ 00.11 203.31
? St Mary's LC 08/07 08/08   22/40 23/55 ?
62.19 Stroud 08.13a ~ 08.16d [P2] 08.12 ~ ?   22.32a ~ 22.35d [P1] 23.40 ~ 23.50 192.17
65.00 Stonehouse 08.22a ~ 08.25d [P2] 08.17 ~ ?   22.23a ~ 22.26d [P1] 23.36 ~ 23.37 189.36
67.00 Standish Jn 08/31½ 08/29   22/19 23/32 187.36
73.11 Gloucester Yard Jn 08/37½ 08/37   22/14 23/21 181.25
73.69 Horton Road Jn 08*39 ~ 08*51 ? ~ 08.51   22/13 23/19 ?
74.12 Gloucester 08.53a ~ 08.56d [P4] 08.53 ~ 08.58   22.09a ~ 22.11d [P4] 23.11 ~ 23.17 180.24
88.30 Awre 09/10 09/15   21/54 22/55 166.06
93.45 Lydney 09.17a ~ 09.20d 09.21 ~ 09.24   21.43a ~ 21.46d 22.46 ~ 22.48 160.71
101.41 Chepstow 09.30a ~ 09.33d 09.34 ~ ?   21.29a ~ 21.32d 22.32 ~ 22.33 152.75
108.09 Caldicot 09c42 ~ 09c44 09.46 ~ ?   21/20½ 22/22 ?
108.69 Severn Tunnel Junction 09/46 [DR] 09/49   21c17 ~ 21c19 [P2] 22.18 ~ 22.21 145.47
? Llanwern West Jn 09/57 10/02   20/59 22/03 138.25
118.02 Maindee East Jn 10*01 ~ 10*10 ? ~ 10.10   20*51 ~ 20*54 [UR] 21/58 136.34
118.64 Maindee North Jn 10/14 10/14   20/49 21/56 135.52
? Cwmbran 10/24 10/24   20/40½ 21/45 ?
? Pontypool & New Inn 10/29 ?   20/36 ? ?
129.12 Little Mill Jn 10/31½ 10/31   20/34 21/41 125.24
137.04 Abergavenny 10/38½ [P1] 10/40   20/27 21/34 117.32
148.53 Pontrilas 10/50 10/56   20/16 21/19 105.63
154.30 Tram Inn 10/57½ 11/01   20/09 21/13 100.06
161.03 Hereford 11/06½ [UR] 11/09   20/01 [DR] ? ~ 21.03 93.33
162.60 Shelwick Jn 11/09 11/13   19/54 20/17 91.56
? Moreton-on-Lugg 11/11½ 11/15   19/50 20/13 ?
173.50 Leominster 11/19 11/22   19/43 20/05 80.66
180.04 Woofferton 11/25½ 11/28   19/36½ 20/01 74.32
? Ludlow 11/29 ?   19/33 ? ?
186.66 Bromfield SB 11/31 11/34   19/31 19/56 67.50
192.09 Craven Arms 11/36 [P1] 11/39   19/26½ [P2] 19/50 62.27
196.57 Marsh Brook LC 11/43½ 11/47   19/21 19/46 57.59
? Church Stretton 11/46 ?   19/17½ ? ?
205.61 Dorrington SB 11/52 11/56   19/09½ 19/13 48.55
? Sutton Bridge Jn 11/58 12/03   19/00½ 19/04 ?
? English Bridge Jn 12/00 ?   18/58 ? ?
212.02 Shrewsbury 12.03a ~ 12.36d [P4] 12.06 ~ 12.39 [P4]   18.53a ~ 18.56d [P7] 18.53 ~ 19.02 42.34
230.06 Gobowen 13/03½ 13/03   18/30 18/36 24.30
? Ruabon 13/12½ ?   18/22½ ? ?
242.22 Wrexham General 13*18 ~ 13*42 [P2] 13.18 ~ 13.20   18/17½ [P1] 18/22 12.14
247.04 Rossett Jn 13/49 13/26   18/12 18/16 7.32
252.38 Saltney Jn 13/56 13/32   18/06 18/08 1.78
? Chester South Jn 13/59 [UF] 13/35   18/04 [DM] 18/06 ?
254.36 Chester 14.01a [P4] 13.37   18.02d [P3] 18.05 [P3] 0.00

 

M.C Location Booked Actual
0.00 Chester 14.06d [P4] 14.05
2.60 Mickle Trafford 14/13 14/11
7.35 Helsby 14/17½ [P2] 14.19 ~ 14.23 [P2]
11.05 Frodsham Jn 14/22 14/30
? Runcorn East 14/24 [P2] 14/32
16.10 Acton Grange Jn 14/28½ [DM] 14/37
18.05 Warrington Bank Quay 14/31½ [P3] 14/43
? Dallam Jn 14/32 14/45
21.43 Winwick Jn 14/36½ 14/50
23.70 Golborne Jn 14/38½ 14/52
28.42 Springs Branch Jn 14/42½ 14/59
? Wigan South Jn 14/43½ 15/04
29.64 Wigan North Western 14/44 [P5] 15/05
37.35 Balshaw Lane 14/55 15/13
39.39 Euxton Jn 14/57½ 15/14
42.13 Farington Jn 15/06 15/20
43.10 Lostock Hall Jn 15/08½ 15/25
52.10 Blackburn 15*23 ~ 15*25 [P2] 15/38 [P2]
52.57 Daisyfield Jn 15/27 15/40
57.32 Accrington 15/34 [P1] 15/47
62.51 Gannow Jn 15/42 15/57
67.68 Copy Pit 15/50½ 16/05
71.72 Stansfield Hall Jn 16*00 ~ 16*09 16/16
72.27 Todmorden 16/11 [P1] 16/18
77.55 Littleborough 16/16½ [P1] 16/28
? Rochdale East Jn 16/20½ 16/33
81.04 Rochdale 16/23 [P3] 16/34
? Castleton East Jn 16/27 16/36
86.56 Vitriol Works 16/31½ 16/41
? Thorpes Bridge Jn 16/38½ 16/44
90.10 Miles Platting 16/41 [SL] 16/48
91.40 Manchester Victoria 16/44½ [P3] 16/52
? Deal Street Jn 16/46½ 16/53
92.19 Salford Central 16/47 16/54
92.53 Ordsall Lane Jn 16*48 ~ 16*54 16/55
95.44 Eccles 16/59½ 16/59
100.35 Astley 17/05½ 17/04
? Parkside Jn 17/12½ 17/10
107.30 Newton-le-Willows 17/14 17/13
108.22 Earlestown 17/16½ [P5] 17/15
109.56 Winwick Jn 17/21½ [US] 17/18
? Dallam Jn 17/24½ 17/21
113.14 Warrington Bank Quay 17/25½ [P1] [OL] 17/25
114.02 Walton Old Jn 17/28½ ?
115.12 Acton Grange Jn 17/30½ 17/30
? Runcorn East 17/34 [P1] 17/32
120.21 Frodsham Jn 17/36½ 17/35
123.71 Helsby 17/43½ [P1] 17/47
128.46 Mickle Trafford 17/50½ 17/52
131.26 Chester 17.55a [P3] 17.58 [P3]

Timings continue in first table.
Mileages as shown in the tour brochure.

Associated E.C.S. & Light Engine Workings

21/11/25 :
5Z42 : (37669 + 37706 + tour stock) : Carnforth to Bicester Depot

Location Booked
Carnforth Steamtown 08.20d
Carnforth H.S. 08.30 ~ 08.40
Carnforth 08.45 ~ 10.02
Carnforth North Jn 10/03
Morecambe South Jn 10/08
Lancaster 10/09
Garstang & Catteral 10/20
Fylde Jn 10/30
Preston 10/31 [P4]
Ribble Jn 10/32
Euxton Jn 10/38
Balshaw Lane 10/44
Wigan North Western 10/52
Wigan South Jn 10/53
Springs Branch Jn 10/54
Golborne Jn 10/58
Winwick Jn 11/00
Dallam Jn 11/02
Warrington Bank Quay 11/03
Acton Grange Jn 11/09
Weaver Jn 11/17
Acton Bridge 11/19
Hartford Jn 11/21
Winsford 11/25
Crewe Coal Yard 11/34
Crewe 11c37 ~ 11c39 [P6]
Basford Hall Jn 11/44
Madeley 11/54
Little Bridgeford Jn 12/05
Stafford 12/13
Trent Valley Jn 12/14
Whitehouse Jn 12*19 ~ 12*21
Colwich 12/31
Rugeley North Jn 12/36
Lichfield North Jn 12/43
Amington Jn 12/50
Nuneaton 13/01
Trent Valley Jn 13/13
Rugby 13c15 ~ 13c19 [P6]
Hillmorton Jn 13/22
Daventry North Jn 13/26
Long Buckby 13/32
Mill Lane Jn 13/42
Northampton North Jn 13*49 ~ 14*19 [UDS]
Northampton 14/22 [UM]
Courteenhall Jn 14/27
Hanslope Jn 14/33
Milton Keynes Central 14/39 [P1]
Denbigh Hall South Jn 14/41
Bletchley High Level 14/43
Winslow 14/53
Claydon West Jn 14/58
Gavray Jn 15/05
Bicester Village 15/06
Bicester Depot 15.09a

22/11/25 :
5Z42 : (37669 + 37706 + tour stock) : Bicester Depot to Oxford Parkway

Location Booked
Bicester Depot 06.00d
Bicester Depot West Jn 06/03
Oxford Parkway 06.14a [P1]

0Z42 : (47746) : Carnforth to Chester

Location Additional
Carnforth Steamtown 11.20d
Carnforth H.S. 11.30 ~ 11.34
Carnforth 11.39 ~ 11.43
Carnforth North Jn 11/45
Morecambe South Jn 11/50
Lancaster 11/53
Garstang & Catteral 12/04
Fylde Jn 12/14
Preston 12*16 ~ 12*21 [P5]
Ribble Jn 12/23
Euxton Jn 12/31
Balshaw Lane 12/33
Wigan North Western 12/41
Wigan South Jn 12/42
Springs Branch Jn 12/43
Golborne Jn 12/45
Winwick Jn 12/47
Dallam Jn 12/50
Warrington Bank Quay 12/51
Acton Grange Jn 12/53
Runcorn East 12/57
Frodsham Jn 12/59
Helsby 13/04
Mickle Trafford 13/09
Chester 13.16a

23/11/25 :
5Z43 : (37669 + 37706 + tour stock + 47746) : Oxford Parkway to Bicester Depot

Location Booked
Oxford Parkway 00.18d [P2]
Bicester Depot West Jn 00/27
Bicester Depot 00.30a

5Z44 : (37706 + tour stock + 47746 + 37669) : Bicester Depot to Bicester South Jn
5Z44 : (37669 + 47746 + tour stock + 37706) : Bicester South Jn to Carnforth

Location Booked
Bicester Depot 13.30d
Bicester Village 13/32
Bicester South Jn 13.35 ~ 13.46
Bicester North 13/49
Aynho Jn 13/59
Banbury 14*06 ~ 14*16 [P3]
Reservoir Jn 14/20
Fenny Compton 14/29
Leamington Spa 14*40 ~ 14*45 [DM]
Milverton Jn 14/48
Kenilworth 14/55
Gibbet Hill Jn 14/57
Coventry 15*02 ~ 15*04 [P4]
Coundon Road LC 15/09
Three Spires Jn 15/12
Hawkesbury Lane 15/14
Chilvers Coton Jn 15/21
Nuneaton 15/23 [P2]
Amington Jn 15/35
Lichfield North Jn 15/43
Rugeley North Jn 15/51
Colwich 15*56 ~ 16*04
Stafford 16/15
Norton Bridge 16/19
Madeley 16/29
Basford Hall Jn 16/35
Crewe 16c44 ~ 16c46 [P6]
Crewe Coal Yard 16/48
Winsford Sig.WD12 16*55 ~ 17*06
Winsford 17/07
Hartford Jn 17/11
Acton Bridge 17/13
Weaver Jn 17/15
Acton Grange Jn 17/19
Warrington Bank Quay 17/21
Dallam Jn 17/22
Winwick Jn 17*27 ~ 17*32
Golborne Jn 17/37
Springs Branch Jn 17/40
Wigan South Jn 17/41
Wigan North Western 17/42
Balshaw Lane 17/49
Euxton Jn 17/52
Ribble Jn 17/57
Preston 17/58 [P3]
Fylde Jn 17/59
Barton & Broughton 18/04
Garstang & Catteral 18/07
Lancaster 18/17
Morecambe South Jn 18/19
Carnforth North Jn 18/24
Carnforth 18.25 ~ 19.55
Carnforth H.S. 19.59 ~ 20.09
Carnforth Steamtown 20.19a


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