Railtour Operator of the year

[33011]

As 2008 is coming to a close who do you think should be Railtour operator of the year.On the awards thread there is a option for Railtour of the year but not one for Railtour operator of the year. For me it would have to be Spitfire because after the problems with the Deltic and 87 tours last year they could have given up but they didn't and have run some excellent affordable tours in 2008 and long may it continue.

 

[16CSVT2700]

Definatly Spitfire for pulling through the year with affordable tours and fulfilling a promise to re-run the failed 87 tour.

Rail-Blue ran an excellent charter to Minehead with 50044 and 50049 so they're definitely worth a mention. Their First Class coaches, stewards and service were top-notch. Shame about the states that left standard class as a total sh*t-tip!

 

[The Snap]

I would say the CFPS, but that is very biased on my part!

 

[theblackwatch]

I would say the CFPS, but that is very biased on my part!

The CFPS haven't operated a tour for over 20 years! (They are a loco provider, just like Freightliner, DRS etc) Though they do have one coming up....

 

[alex57601]

The CFPS haven't operated a tour for over 20 years! (They are a loco provider, just like Freightliner, DRS etc) Though they do have one coming up....

I think he might be getting confused with the fact that CFPS members can book seats on tours through the CFPS, therefore assuming that the CFPS ios organising it.

 

[GNERman]

Spitfire have done a great job

 

[D306]

Definatly Spitfire for pulling through the year with affordable tours and fulfilling a promise to re-run the failed 87 tour.

have to agree with you there Jamie. Spitfire railtours deffinatly have to be the best tour operator of 2008. Good value tours and good traction

 

[Moodster020]

Spitfire tours for me too!

Great to see them having regular spaced-out pick-up points particularly the Yorkshire regions, rather than the old Wolverhampton-Birmingham-Crewe pick up cliche that other operators keep on doing.

As a result, i've been on a few more tours than normal- Thanks to Spitfire!


Keep the good work up!

 

[37412]

I was pleased to see Compass Tours using heritage traction this year and running two 37 tours with EWS locos, managed to do one of them and a very enjoyable day out was had. Hoping they run a few more in 2009. Even though there stock is all aircons compared to the normal Mk2a that is PF's coach A or a WCRC coach for spitfire the coaches on the Compass trip seemed far better to travel in, the aircon worked, the lights worked, the CDL worked, the bogs weren't trashed and all in all a much better enviroment than the normal coaches with condensation covered windows, rancid toilets, lack of lights by 5 o'clock as the batteries are knackered etc etc. Obviously you don't get an opening window at every seat but you can get that on other tours, a change is nice sometimes and on the trip I did from Wolves to York most of those who wanted to had chance to stand in the front vestibule and enjoy the noise for a bit!

 

[EE Type 3]

Spitfire here. The Paington Pudden tour was by far the best tour I've been on, the stewards were helpful, the train was tidy, the toilets all worked, and best of all, the train ran to time all day (was 30 early into Bridgewater!)

 

[P156KWJ]

what pretty much everyone has said - spitfire

 

[class 313]

Over the years Pathfinder have been the running leader for me, as well as Hertfordshire Rail tours. Why? Well I will start with Pathfinder, running entertaining tours which I really enjoyed whilst HRT did extremely cheap tours and with good locations/traction. I feel Spitfire has replaced HRT with its cheap tours and with great traction so I guess Spitfire for me.

 

[87015]

Does the Moors count with its Whitby-Battersbys which are, I guess, effectively charters?

 

[JoshW1992]

Past Time or Steam Dreams... both superb railtour operators.

 

[34067 Tangmere]

For me I say The Railway Touring Company.

 

[class 313]

For me I say The Railway Touring Company.

They are excellent when it comes to Christmas tours!

 

[P156KWJ]

Over the years Pathfinder have been the running leader for me, as well as Hertfordshire Rail tours. Why? Well I will start with Pathfinder, running entertaining tours which I really enjoyed whilst HRT did extremely cheap tours and with good locations/traction. I feel Spitfire has replaced HRT with its cheap tours and with great traction so I guess Spitfire for me.

yeah - pathfinder get the mickey taken out of them a lot, but on the settle & carlisle tour I was impressed with the cleanliness of the train, helpfulness of the stewards, who even offered to let me and Julian know when there was a spare bay of 4 seats available, they kept us informed of what was going on, and apologised for the late start at Derby (which was not the fault of pathfinder anyway).

 

[nedchester]

The CFPS are railtour operator of the year (2009) - but there again I would say that!!!

 

[Techniquest]

Pathfinder were mine. Only toured with them in 2008 and all three tours I was on were excellent!

 

[Jim]

Pathfinder.

Although they are renown to be late etc, I found my last few trips out with them faultless, train has been on time with the booked traction, kept to the booked route and been a good day out.

 

[almark]

Pathfinder,5 tours i think and not a problem with one of them,second place Past-Time always a good laugh and a good day out!

Cheers,
Mark