Pathfinder Tours
Encyclopedia
Pathfinder Tours is a railtour
operating company operating in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1973 by Peter Watts, who organised a rail journey from Severnside to the Cambrian coast. The company organises tours for both rail enthusiasts, and general tours to places of interest. The company operated in conjunction with several spot-hire companies, most notably FM Rail
who provided locomotives, and Riviera Trains
, who provided rolling stock. This relationship was solidified in 2006, when Riviera Trains purchased the parent company of Pathfinder Tours. A new company named Pathfinder Tours (2006) Ltd has been formed to continue operating railtours with the exclusive use of Riviera's supply of rolling stock. Although it will primarily use EWS and Riviera locomotives, occasionally a preserved locomotive will be chartered from one of the major preservation organisations (notably the Class 40 Preservation Society or the Deltic Preservation Society
). The company also operates charters on behalf of other companies such as Venice-Simplon Orient Express
.
Railtour
A railtour is a special train which is run in order to allow people to experience rail travel which is not available using timetabled passenger services...
operating company operating in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1973 by Peter Watts, who organised a rail journey from Severnside to the Cambrian coast. The company organises tours for both rail enthusiasts, and general tours to places of interest. The company operated in conjunction with several spot-hire companies, most notably FM Rail
FM Rail
FM Rail Limited was a railway spot-hire and charter company based at Derby, United Kingdom. The company was formed in January 2005 following the merging of spot-hire company Fragonset Railways Limited with charter train operating company Merlin Rail Limited...
who provided locomotives, and Riviera Trains
Riviera Trains
Riviera Trains Limited is a railway spot-hire company, based at Crewe in Cheshire. It owns a large fleet of Class 47 locomotives, which have been hired to both passenger and charter train operators. One of their main customers was Arriva Trains Wales, which used locomotives to haul Manchester to...
, who provided rolling stock. This relationship was solidified in 2006, when Riviera Trains purchased the parent company of Pathfinder Tours. A new company named Pathfinder Tours (2006) Ltd has been formed to continue operating railtours with the exclusive use of Riviera's supply of rolling stock. Although it will primarily use EWS and Riviera locomotives, occasionally a preserved locomotive will be chartered from one of the major preservation organisations (notably the Class 40 Preservation Society or the Deltic Preservation Society
Deltic Preservation Society
The Deltic Preservation Society is a railway preservation group based in the United Kingdom dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the remaining Class 55 "Deltic" diesel locomotives operated by British Rail from the 1960s to the 1980s.-Formation:...
). The company also operates charters on behalf of other companies such as Venice-Simplon Orient Express
Venice-Simplon Orient Express
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a private luxury train service that travels from London to Venice that is popularly referred to as the Orient Express....
.