Or to put it another way, Pathfinder are proud to offer this day out with a Class 40* to routes on which they were once an everyday sight on passenger, parcels and freight workings, including the Hope Valley Line and over Standedge, but also covering the South Yorkshire Joint Line and the Monk Bretton branch, possible new routes for many Class 40 followers.

So we set off from Burton-on-Trent, calling at the pick-ups to Crewe, with D345 piloted by a WCRC Class 37, not that common ‘back in the day’ or in preservation. At Crewe the Class 37 will run to the rear, with the train operating ‘top-and-tail’ for the rest of the day. The requested route thereafter includes main and secondary lines, passenger and goods loops (subject to confirmation) and through freight lines and branches:

Crewe – Stockport – Guide Bridge – Romiley – New Mills South Jn – Hope Valley Line – Sheffield – Woodhouse – Shireoaks – Woodend Jn (rev) – Worksop – Retford H.L. (short break/rev) – Worksop – Shireoaks – Brancliffe East Jn – South Yorkshire Joint Line – Doncaster – Hatfield & Stainforth (rev) – Doncaster North Chord – Haywood Jn – Askern – Knottingley West Jn – Oakenshaw South Jn – Monk Bretton Branch (rev) – Wakefield Kirkgate – Huddersfield – Standedge – Stalybridge – Crewe and as the set-downs back to Burton-on-Trent

On board catering will include a buffet service, the Gricers Grill and a Real Ale and Cider offering.

*The locomotive hauling this excursion (D345/40145) is provided by the Class Forty Preservation Society, to whom we are indebted.

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ON BOARD FEATURES INCLUDE:
– Reserved seats aligned with the carriage windows
– A printed excursion and journey guide for everyone
– A travelling licensed buffet with refreshments, including alcoholic and soft drinks 
– Cheerful, friendly and helpful Pathfinder Stewards!

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