Pathfinder Tours Railtour Programme 2022

[D6130]

Francoise Bourgeois was on board as well, presumably invited by Pathfinder as a publicity stunt.

Presumably you mean Francois. Francoise would have been his sister, daughter, niece....or even wife!

 

[bluegoblin7]

And even then his name is Francis.

(In before anyone points out this in itself is a nom de plume.)

 

[Whistler40145]

Why would Pathfinder Tours use West Coast Railway Company stock when Riviera Trains who are the owners of Pathfinder Tours always provide their stock

 

[31160]

Presumably you mean Francois. Francoise would have been his sister, daughter, niece....or even wife!

Im sorry who is this?

Why would Pathfinder Tours use West Coast Railway Company stock when Riviera Trains who are the owners of Pathfinder Tours always provide their stock

Because if they are using WCRC locos and crew it may prove cheaper to use the stock at the same depot than get the locos to travel the 100 odd miles to burton to get the stock and then take it to where the tour starts

Why would Pathfinder Tours use West Coast Railway Company stock when Riviera Trains who are the owners of Pathfinder Tours always provide their stock

Because if they are using WCRC locos and crew it may prove cheaper to use the stock at the same depot than get the locos to travel the 100 odd miles to burton to get the stock and then take it to where the tour starts

 

[Whistler40145]

Im sorry who is this?


Because if they are using WCRC locos and crew it may prove cheaper to use the stock at the same depot than get the locos to travel the 100 odd miles to burton to get the stock and then take it to where the tour starts


Because if they are using WCRC locos and crew it may prove cheaper to use the stock at the same depot than get the locos to travel the 100 odd miles to burton to get the stock and then take it to where the tour starts

Pathfinder Tours might have a deal with WCRC to solely provide 37s

 

[matt]

West Coast are providing the locos, Riveria are providing the coaches.

 

[31160]

Pathfinder Tours might have a deal with WCRC to solely provide 37s

Whos going to drive them then

West Coast are providing the locos, Riveria are providing the coaches.

Yes i know that... but you have admit it would make more sense to use the coaches that are parked one siding over next to the locos than pay £££s to move the locos to pick up another rake of exactly the same coches (apart for the colour)

 

[Whistler40145]

Whos going to drive them then


Yes i know that... but you have admit it would make more sense to use the coaches that are parked one siding over next to the locos than pay £££s to move the locos to pick up another rake of exactly the same coches (apart for the colour)

That's Pathfinder Tours decision or Riviera

 

[theblackwatch]

Whos going to drive them then


Yes i know that... but you have admit it would make more sense to use the coaches that are parked one siding over next to the locos than pay £££s to move the locos to pick up another rake of exactly the same coches (apart for the colour)

You didn't appear to know that when you said a couple of days ago "It might be a 100% WCRC job using there own stock otherwise there will be a lot of light engine moves, Pathfinder just doing the bookings", despite the Pathfinder site stating:
Motive power is expected to be a pair of class 37 diesel locomotives throughout, courtesy of West Coast Railways, hauling Mark 1 carriages from Riviera Trains.

 

[Whistler40145]

You didn't appear to know that when you said a couple of days ago "It might be a 100% WCRC job using there own stock otherwise there will be a lot of light engine moves, Pathfinder just doing the bookings", despite the Pathfinder site stating:
Motive power is expected to be a pair of class 37 diesel locomotives throughout, courtesy of West Coast Railways, hauling Mark 1 carriages from Riviera Trains.

I think that's clear enough, WCRC only supplying 37s

 

[theblackwatch]

I think that's clear enough, WCRC only supplying 37s

I believe that WCRC will also be operating the train.

 

[Iskra]

A new tour has been announced featuring class 20's around the West Midlands:

The Chopper Topper Returns - Pathfinder Railtours

A freight line tour around the West Midlands - Featuring Class 20 power! Joining Stations: Burton-on-Trent, Coleshill Parkway, Barnt Green, Worcestershire Parkway, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Birmingham New Street

www.pathfindertours.co.uk

SATURDAY, 2 JULY 2022​

A FREIGHT LINE TOUR AROUND THE WEST MIDLANDS – FEATURING CLASS 20 POWER! ​

In response to a number of requests for specific sections of track in the West Midlands that have not been visited recently, we are very pleased to be able to offer this railtour that includes visits to Hams Hall Reception Line and to Donnington Railfreight Terminal in Shropshire. In addition to a number of Goods Loops and requested specific lines, the route also features traversal of the Oxley Chord, the hard climb over Cannock and ascent of the Lickey Incline. Add in an hour’s break at Shrewsbury whilst the carriages are serviced, haulage by Class 20 power throughout (courtesy of loco owner Michael Owen and SLC Rail), and we think that this limited load train will prove very popular.
REQUESTED ROUTE (subject to confirmation): As the pick-up points to Gloucester, then Cheltenham High Street UGL – Up Eckington Goods Loop – Bromsgrove – Selly Oak – Birmingham New Street (Pick-up) – Water Orton – Hams Hall Reception Line (with grateful thanks to ABP) – Water Orton – Sutton Park – Walsall – Darlaston Jn – Wolverhampton – Wellington – Donnington RFT (subject to agreement) – Wellington – Shrewsbury (Short Break) – Cosford – Oxley Chord – Stafford – Rugeley – Cannock – Bescot Stadium – Aston – Birmingham New Street (Set-Down) – Stourbridge Junction – Kidderminster – Droitwich Up Goods Loop – Worcester Shrub Hill – Abbotswood Jn – Cheltenham Spa – Gloucester, and as the set-down points back to Burton-on-Trent.

And another new one, which looks interesting and could tempt me. Featuring a pair of 33's around the Cotswolds and Dorset Coast.

The Dorset Coast Explorer - Pathfinder Railtours

A day out to the seaside resort of Weymouth, with different scenic routes out and back: Joining Stations: Burton-on-Trent, Tamworth, Coleshill Parkway, Birmingham New Street, Stourbridge Junction, Kidderminster, Droitwich Spa, Worcester Shrub Hill, Cheltenham Spa, Swindon*

www.pathfindertours.co.uk

 

[bleeder4]

The Weymouth one would interest me as well, but unfortunately I've already booked on the LSL trip to Dartmouth that same day. I wonder how many others will be caught out by that conflict? Both picking up at Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Worcester SH and Cheltenham. Just 20 minutes between them.

 

[Iskra]

The Weymouth one would interest me as well, but unfortunately I've already booked on the LSL trip to Dartmouth that same day. I wonder how many others will be caught out by that conflict? Both picking up at Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Worcester SH and Cheltenham. Just 20 minutes between them.

I think there is a BLS trip at the same time too.

But, if you can't fill a train to Weymouth on an August Saturday with a pair of 33's (something a bit different) on the front, you never will...

Steam to Kingswear is nice, but it has been done quite frequently over the years.

3 different tours, appealing to 3 different audiences, I see no reason why they all can't do well

 

[JonathanH]

3 different tours, appealing to 3 different audiences, I see no reason why they all can't do well

Cumbrian Mountain Express (and for that matter the Northern Belle as well) going in the other direction too.

 

[Iskra]

The Cambrian Coast Express - Pathfinder Railtours

A day out along the Cambrian Coast with stunning scenery. Joining Stations: Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Tamworth, Coleshill Parkway, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, *Shrewsbury.

www.pathfindertours.co.uk

Pathfinder have launched a new Cambrian Coast Tour, starting in Sheffield so I've transferred onto that one (and they were very good about it).

 

[peteb]

The pathfinder SVR steam gala excursion today with top and tailed class 67s is only load 8 including a crew BFK, Kitchen car in the consist, and only one Mk2e TSO.....assume consist represents level of bookings, shame as it's been a lovely day at Kidderminster and the SVR gala produced some great visiting locos.

 

[3973EXL]

The pathfinder SVR steam gala excursion today with top and tailed class 67s is only load 8 including a crew BFK, Kitchen car in the consist, and only one Mk2e TSO.....assume consist represents level of bookings, shame as it's been a lovely day at Kidderminster and the SVR gala produced some great visiting locos.

UKRailtours

 

[peteb]

UKRailtours

Woops! Wrong thread!!

 

[Iskra]

I’ve booked on the Dorset Coast explorer now, looking forward to a pair of 33’s on the mainline

 

[43 302]

I’ve booked on the Dorset Coast explorer now, looking forward to a pair of 33’s on the mainline

You miss typed 37s...

 

[50002Superb]

My tickets arrived today for Friday’s trip

Realtime Trains | 114P 0500 Oxford to Shrewsbury | 13/05/2022

Real-time train running information for 114P 0500 departure from Oxford to Shrewsbury on 13/05/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 120P 1017 Shrewsbury to Pwllheli | 13/05/2022

Real-time train running information for 120P 1017 departure from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli on 13/05/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 136P 1623 Pwllheli to Oxford | 13/05/2022

Real-time train running information for 136P 1623 departure from Pwllheli to Oxford on 13/05/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Iskra]

My tickets arrived today for Friday’s trip

Realtime Trains | 114P 0500 Oxford to Shrewsbury | 13/05/2022

Real-time train running information for 114P 0500 departure from Oxford to Shrewsbury on 13/05/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 120P 1017 Shrewsbury to Pwllheli | 13/05/2022

Real-time train running information for 120P 1017 departure from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli on 13/05/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 136P 1623 Pwllheli to Oxford | 13/05/2022

Real-time train running information for 136P 1623 departure from Pwllheli to Oxford on 13/05/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Very good, I'm sure it will be a very enjoyable day out.

I was booked on the next Cambrian run, but when they shifted one to starting at Sheffield in September, that option became a no-brainer instead. However, apparently TFW are now taking an extra path on the Cambrian which has left Vintage Trains cancelling their tours down the line, so it will remain to be seen whether the later Pathfinder tours are now actually able to run!

 

[bleeder4]

Mazey Day Cornishman cancelled due to the strike action. I believe this is currently the first charter the strikes have killed off, but I suspect it will just be the first of many. We could be in for a tumultuous Summer!

 

[JonathanH]

Mazey Day Cornishman cancelled due to the strike action. I believe this is currently the first charter the strikes have killed off, but I suspect it will just be the first of many. We could be in for a tumultuous Summer!

Yes, given the deadlines to confirm a strike and the deadlines to finalise the running of charters, not to mention the possible need for overtime to be worked during a period when there might be an overtime ban[*], you would imagine that the railtour cancellations will precede the dates of strike action being announced.

[*] I think the usual arrangement during industrial action is that an overtime ban is imposed to avoid staff striking making up earnings lost on strike days by working overtime.

 

[Kite159]

Although I wonder how much is down to lower than expected bookings? With the potential strike action being used as an excuse?

Cost of living crisis meaning some people have to make cutbacks on spending on non essential items. Sadly railtours are not that essential, especially when you have additional costs of accommodation or travel to a station where it's picking up from.

 

[ABB125]

Although I wonder how much is down to lower than expected bookings?

That's killed off another upcoming Pathfinder tour, though I can't remember which one.

 

[Kite159]

That's killed off another upcoming Pathfinder tour, though I can't remember which one.

Iirc It was something with West Coast 37s from Bristol area to York/Scarborough

 

[Iskra]

We’ve seen this year across multiple operators that the blander tours simply aren’t surviving, but the interesting ones sell out relatively quickly. Railtour companies need to plan tours carefully or they aren’t going to fill, customers are being faced with tough fiscal choices and are only going to book tours that they can justify the expense for based on interest provided.

Luckily there are plenty of midweek tour options this year, which should hopefully not be impacted by strike action.

 

[JonathanH]

Luckily there are plenty of midweek tour options this year, which should hopefully not be impacted by strike action.

Do we have any idea whether strikes will be weekday or weekend? I don't think we do. I think we might expect the strikes to be lunchtime to lunchtime across two days to cause the maximum disruption for the lowest loss of earnings.

Point relevant to this thread is that no one yet knows what form the strike action will take but I wouldn't be so sure of it being just on Saturdays and / or Sundays. I would imagine that all railtours have the threat of cancellation hanging over them.