Pathfinder Railtours has announced that after more than 50 years of running tours, they will close their doors in December.
It is proposed that their last tour will be on the 20th December with D1015 to act as a farewell tour for the brand.
Pathfinder Railtours ran its first tour in 1973 from Gloucester to Pwllheli under the name F&W Railtours. Pathfinder Railtours was born in 1987 with the company running its first charter a year later.
The company says that it is business as usual until December with Pathfinder stating that they are not insolvent in any way and will be wound down in an orderly fashion and the closure is due to retirement.
Business founder, Peter Watts commented: “When five years is a long time in the rail industry, to have achieved more than 50 years of continued operation, is truly remarkable, and something that I am incredibly privileged to have undertaken. Equally, I am proud, not only of the team, that over the years has delivered our programme, but also our wonderful stewards who have volunteered their time on board to ensure safe operation of the trains. Finally last but not least, my sincere thanks to our loyal passengers who have supported us, enjoyed numerous excursions, and hopefully travelled to many places they may not, otherwise, have visited.”
Barry Cordell, the now Chief Executive and owner of Pathfinder Railtours said: “Over the almost 30 years I have been involved with the company, we have achieved so much, but I now feel it is the right time to step back and retire. I would like to join Peter in thanking our team, our volunteers and our passengers for all their support and loyalty over the years, and we wish you all well in the future. The positive support that we have enjoyed from the majority of the rail industry has always been appreciated and my thanks also go to them and the TOCs that have run our many charter trains over the years.”
Responses
sad news any close down of such a service is a shame ,but we dont know the work the people do and and it must be getting more difficult to do it.all the best to you all .Jeff
A great shame. I have many happy memories over many years.
My first F&W railtour was on the BEDFORD BRICKER on 29 October 1983. I did 24 tours with F&W, up to 1986.
My first Pathfinder tour was the TAMAR FORTH EXPRESS on 18 April 1987 and up to August 2025, I have travelled on 109 Pathfinder tours.
In all, I have travelled just under 56,000 miles with them!
Thankyou to everyone at Pathfinder for all the enjoyment you have given me.
Sorry to hear this, “Pathfinder” are/were one of the best for providing imaginative and popular railtours.
Seems to be a pity that it’s being wound down rather than offered for sale – or just an expenses paid transfer to new ownership – as a going concern
End of an Era goodbye to Pathfinder
Really sad news.
Used to love the mazey day cornishman.
Staff were always friendly and they often used deltics.
Other companies seem over priced by comparison.
The Future of heritage diesel on the mainline is worrying
That came out of the blue.
Did some good rail tours back in the day weekend in Scotland out Friday night back midday Sunday.
Like tosh Peter and Barry a happy retirement all best for the future
Shame they’ve closed down, although I can’t say it was unexpected as they cancelled 12 tours this year and things weren’t looking good for them.
I understand that the Pathfinder sole proprietor is in his late 80s so it is not surprising that he has decided to retire. I notice that UK Railtours are advertising a tour starting in the Midlands ro South Wales so possibly UKR is stepping into Pathfinder’s shoes. Traditionally, UKR hass catered for the London and South East area market and Pathfinder has catered for the market in te Midlands plus the West Country plus Liverpool and Manchester. This was presumably by gentleman’s agreement.
That’s quite a shocker. Although I wonder if retirement t is the only reason. After all a majority of tours we’re operated by WCRC so inless there jas been some fallout who knows
Could have been struggling with rivalry of tours but I agree it’s likely to be retirement