Pathfinder Railtours Finale with D1015 Western Champion, The Polar Express & 37's 20/12/2025

So Saturday was Pathfinder Railtours last ever tour so I wasn't going to miss capturing D1015 Western Champion and originally was rota'd to work but thankfully I was allowed the day off so I made the most of it and started early and headed for Tyseley Station to start to see 3Q50 with 37057 Barbara Arbon leading pulling into the station for 2 minutes before departing with 37099 Merl Evans 1947-2016 at the rear.
After that I had a few hours to get over to my next location so I stopped off for breakfast at McDonald's in Birmingham before heading over to Hamstead Station to see Pathfinder Railtours The Pathfinder Finale with D1015 Western Champion hauling their final one and 57314 Conwy Castle at the rear, kinda sad knowing that would be my penultimate capture of one of their tours that over the past few years I've seen some amazing railtours.
After that I then headed over to capture Vintage Trains The Polar Express with 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and 47773 and hadn't captured at Hall Green Station for this year's Polar Express so I decided I'd do there for the diesel and steam returns where they did go through very slowly which I expected as the timings showed that.
After there I then headed for Bentley Heath Crossing for my next captures again with the diesel approach followed by 5043's departure.
Then it was onto my next location at Widney Manor Station where 47773 came through towards Dorridge and then moved to the opposite platform for 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and unfortunately they left Dorridge 2 minutes early that meant I was right on path with a WMR unit pulling into the platform I was on just as 5043 was approaching, I got lucky to see a little bit at least but definitely bowled lol.
After the disappointment of getting bowled it was my last shot of The Polar Express missing the final run out (also missed first) for getting onto my next location ready for the return journey of D1015 Western Champion (D1001) and the final ever capture of Pathfinder Railtours brilliant tours and went for the best location to get pure noises and that is Five Ways Station where she came through absolutely roaring out from underneath Birmingham City Centre and through Five Ways Station with some tones from the driver to make it a memorable one and for sure it was sad to know that was my last ever capture of a Pathfinder Tour ever. Thank you for the great tours, they'll definitely be missed by everyone.
I was going to head back for home but as I was at Five Ways and a Bus Stop right outside that takes me to right outside Small Heath Station I decided I'd go for the ECS from Birmingham Moor Street to Tyseley Steam Trust with 47773 leading and approaching very slowly waiting for the signal to change and then opening up on that change a treat so I was glad I decided to go there for a last shot of a long day out, thoroughly enjoyed it.
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