The Verney Venturer

The Verney Venturer - 15th February 2025

The Verney Venturer was the first public railtour to venture over the new East West Rail link between Milton Keynes and Bicester. The route will link Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. Pathfinder Tours operated the Verney Venturer on the 15th February 2025 from Bristol Temple Meads using a pair of West Coast Railways Class 33 locomotives (No.33207 and No.33029). The pair hauled the train from Bristol to Birmingham before heading south to Bicester Village for a short break before heading to the outskirts of London and returning via the Midland Mainline towards Birmingham and Bristol. West Coast Class 47 No.47802 was also with the train for train supply and shunting assistance as required.

West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47802 is pictured at Bristol Temple Meads on the 15th February 2024 operating 5Z74 05:00 Bristol Kingsland Road - Bristol Temple Meads via Bristol West Junction empty stock in preparation for Pathfinder Railtours 'The Verney Venturer' charter with 33029 and 33207.

West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33029 and No.33207 ride on the rear of the empty stock movement between Kingsland Road and Bristol West in preparation to form Pathfinder Tours 'The Verney Venturer' charter from Bristol Temple Meads on the 16th February 2025.

GWR three-car Class 166 No.166220 is pictured at Bristol Temple Meads on the 15th February 2025 before later departing as 2K08 06:45 Bristol Temple Meads - Severn Beach.

Bicester Village

West Coast Railways Class 33 locomotives No.33207 and No.33029 are picuted at Bicester Village on the 15th February 2024 having arrived with Pathfinder Tours 'The Verney Venturer' charter. 1Z74 06:36 Bristol Temple Meads - Bicester Village having become the first public charter to traverse the route.

West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47802 is pictured on the rear of Pathfinder Tours 'The Verney Venturer' charter at Bicester Village on the 16th February 2025. No.33029 and No.33207 had hauled the 1Z74 06:36 Bristol Temple Meads - Bicester Village.

Chiltern Railways Class 165 No.165014 and No.165029 arrive into Bicester Village on the 15th February 2025 operating 1T35 11:07 London Marylebone - Oxford.

Chiltern Railways Class 165 No.165015 and No.165019 arrive into Bicester Village on the 15th February 2025 operating 1Y40 12:13 Oxford - London Marylebone service.

Chiltern Railways Class 165 No.165034 and No.165004 arrive into Bicester Village on the 15th February 2025 operating 1T27 11:37 Marylebone - Oxford Service.

Having become the first charter train to traverse the newly finished east west rail link between Nuneaton and Bicester Village, Pathfinder Railtours 'The Verney Ventuerer' arrives back into Bicester Village on the 15th February 2025. No.33207 and No.33209 are pictured in a triple headed formation with No.47802 (providing ETH only) forming the second leg of the 486 mile marathon charter as 1Z1Z75 12:50 Bicester Goods Loop - Acton Canal Wharf Junction.

West Coast Railways Class 33 locomotives No.33029 and No.33207 are pictured at Bristol Temple Meads on the 15th February 2025 having arrived back with Pathfinder Railtours 'The Verney Venturer' charter 1Z76 14:59 Acton Canal Wharf Junction - Bristol Temple Meads.

West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47802 is pictured at Bristol Temple Meads on the 15th February 2025. Having been uncoupled from the Pathfinder Tours stock of 'The Verney Venturer' charter, the loco prepares to depart light engine to Kingsland Road.

GWR Hitachi IET No.800305 is pictured at Bristol Temple Meads on the 16th February 2025 while operating 1C33 20:30 London Paddington - Exeter St Davids service.