I read with great regret that Pathfinder Railtours will cease trading from December, writes Ian Thomas.
Anyhow, it is what it is, and I will now look back on my personal experiences travelling with Peter Watts and the team over the past 50 years or so, with a number of tours—but not all, as there is not enough room.
My first tour was a straight out-and-back trip from Gloucester Eastgate to Paignton on Sunday, September 30th, 1973: the “Torbay Express,” featuring a Class 47 diesel locomotive up front.
Fast forward now to Sunday, August 3rd, 1975, and this time something more dynamic—a tour to north-west Wales via the Cambrian route. Firstly, a Sunday diversion via the (now closed) Honeybourne route from Cheltenham to Honeybourne, and on to Wolverhampton and the Cambrian. A special one to me for the above routing and a trip on the Ffestiniog Railway (then only to Dduallt).
February 12th, 1977, saw Peter take a Class 52 “Western” to York and back—a memorable day indeed. One year later, and another sought-after route: Woodhead, the freight-only line from Manchester to Sheffield, featuring Class 76s (Nos. 76-009 and 016) on October 14th, 1978. This line is now a cycle route.
The winter of 1978-79 was the coldest and snowiest since 1962-63 and—yes, you’ve guessed it—a tour on Saturday, January 27th, 1979, titled the “East Anglian” to East Anglia. Because of the adverse weather conditions, the tour was three hours late and was terminated at Stowmarket and turned back.
The summer of 1979 brought another first for me: the Berkeley Road to Sharpness branch line. A Sunday afternoon spin aboard the “Severnsider” with four Mark 1 coaches and a Class 20 (No. 20-154), including Gloucester Docks. A great afternoon out. The year concluded with the “Sulzer Surveyor” to Weymouth Quay and back, featuring a “Peak” Class 46 (No. 46-051).
Into the 1980s, and freight lines were the big catch for the track bashers—and, of course, the freight locos not often seen on passenger duties. Tours to Newquay (Cornwall), Immingham, and Barnetby, and many more. This time, the ever-popular “Skirl of the Pipes” weekend trips to Scotland—brilliant, dossing down in a compartment overnight, loads of ale on board, and we got on with it. Not forgetting the “Napier North-Eastern,” taking a Deltic (No. 55-002) to Scarborough and back to York in the snow, with only a few days left in service.
1982 saw the “Dover Dealer” around the south-east on February 27th, and then Wisbech in March aboard the “Joint Line Bumper.” Many, many more unusual tours through the 1980s before change was afoot. “Fielding and Watts” became “Pathfinder” in 1987, and with it, the use of Mk 2 air-conditioned coaches, and also full dining introduced—a great conception indeed. Also, around 1990, steam tours appeared, with Mk 1 stock of course, and the “Settle-Carlisle” a great favourite in all weathers! Swansea and the southwest with GWR steam, and the Lickey in 1997—all brilliant stuff.
I can honestly say that all tours have been well executed, and any problems expertly sorted with Peter at the helm. Few other operators have had the knowledge that he and the stewards possessed.
Looking back, I have no one favourite tour—there were so many, including preserved diesel traction tours in this century. Pete took D1015 “Western Champion” from London to Gloucester and back via Sapperton, on a tour aptly named “The Western Pathfinder.” I’ve known Peter Watts for 50 years, and he has been a great bloke to know indeed, and let’s hope he can enjoy his retirement.
Pictures by Ian Thomas
