D1015 Badgeworth 20 December 2025

Pathfinder Railtours ran their final tour on 20 December 2025, after 52 years of running trains to all parts of the UK. D1015 Western Champion is pictured passing Badgeworth with the 1Z52 05:50 Salisbury to Lostock Hall Junction 'Pathfinder Finale'. The headboard, which incorporates the original F&W Railtours Vulture logo, reads: 'F&W Railtours Pathfinder Finale 1973-2025 52 years of fun'. It was fortunate that this was running a few minutes late, as at the booked time there was no sun at all. The Cotswold Hills were shrouded in fog, and a large bank of fog and clouds were blocking the sun, To the relief and surprise of the assembled photographers, this superb light suddenly appeared as the train came into view. It was completely foggy all the way on the 30 mile drive home! 57314 is bringing up the rear. The loco that had worked the train from Salisbury to Gloucester was 57008, which as Class 47 1644, had worked F&W's fist tour in June 1973.