Join us on this quite unique collaboration between Pathfinder Railtours and UK Railtours as we join forces to bring you an unusual opportunity to participate in a one way test trip of the much loved and often requested D1015 ‘Western Champion’.

Our journey between London and Birmingham is intended to provide a real test for the Western.

Comprising of a train of 13 coaches and a dead locomotive, the trailing load will be in the order of 550 tonnes, a solid examination of the locomotive’s pedigree.

Departing from London Paddington at approximately 14.00, we head west down the Great Western main line through Slough and Reading before deviating north at Didcot. Now in Oxfordshire we pass through the County town, Oxford (which of course is a city) and follow the banks of the river Cherwell towards Banbury where we will have a short break between 15:32-16:25.

Now heading into the Midlands, we divert to the right at Leamington Spa and traverse the link line passing through the recently reopened Kenilworth station. After passing through Coventry and Birmingham International we take the diversionary line at Stechford towards Aston and Tame Bridge Parkway (arrival 1804), where passengers can choose to alight. 

For those remaining on the train we proceed the short distance into Bescot yard where ‘Western Champion’ is detached. The train then reverses and is hauled by our supporting locomotive (expected to be a GBRf class 57/3) the few miles to Birmingham New Street station (via the Soho loop) where we will arrive at 19:10 and where the train terminates.

The fares for this very unusual Sunday afternoon excursion are £89 First Class and £69 Standard Class. There is no Premier Dining on this railtour, but there will be a fully stocked buffet onboard.

Please note this railtour is a one way journey between London and Birmingham and this is a formal test run for the locomotive and there will be no headboards carried on this train.

THIS TRAIN IS FULLY BOOKED