RAILTOURS

Tour companies stymied by pandemic.

MANY tours previously advertised by most of the major railtour companies have had to be postponed on account of the coronavirus outbreak. Some are stating they plan to rerun them at a later date, but refunds were offered to those who requested them. Like so many businesses, this has caused serious worry to the owners, with no income coming in for what could be months.

The position at the end of March for tours in May and beyond was as follows:

Belmond Pullman: no change, tours

running in May.

A1 Steam Trust: no change, tours

running in May.

Branch Line Society: tour on May

25 deferred.

Vintage Trains: tours postponed until

mid-June.

West Coast Railways: no change, tours running (The ‘Jacobite’ steam trips from Fort William due to start May 1).

Saphos Trains: tours before May 10 cancelled, a decision to be taken in

April regarding continuation of those booked afterwards.

Pathfinder Tours: trips postponed up to

early June.

Statesman: tours before May 10 cancelled, further decisions to be taken in April.

Railway Touring Club: tours up to

May 15 cancelled, a decision then to be made afterwards.

Steam Dreams: May 3 tour postponed, Flying Scotsman May 28 running.

Northern Belle: May tours running

as booked.

UK Railtours: May tours running

as booked.

NENTA: tour on May 23 cancelled.

SRPS: Both tours on May 2 and 23 cancelled.

■ MAZEY DAY TOUR ALTERED: With the news that Penzance’s Mazey Day celebrations on June 27 have been cancelled, Pathfinder Tours’ annual charter fromBirmingham to Penzance is being postponed. An alternate date is being considered.