Compass Tours

Urban-Savage · 19 Dec 2014

Just noticed that Compass have suddenly left their new base in Frodsham.
Their web says all enquiries to West Coast Railways and not to use their email address.
Anyone any ideas why or what's going on?
Kind of got a feeling all wasn't well a few months ago.
Will be sad if they are in difficulty as they have been generally great

RailUK Forums

alexl92 · 19 Dec 2014

I'd always thought Compass were linked to DRS?

theblackwatch · 20 Dec 2014

alexl92 said:
I'd always thought Compass were linked to DRS?

Given that out of 40 trains or so they have run this year, about 5 have been DRS operated and 35 WCRC, I'm not sure why you would think that.

alexl92 · 20 Dec 2014

theblackwatch said:
Given that out of 40 trains or so they have run this year, about 5 have been DRS operated and 35 WCRC, I'm not sure why you would think that.

Nothing to do with the tour operators - I think I must have made an assumption at some point that because DRS use the compass logo, Compass would be linked to them.

Ignorant error on my part - now, back to the topic!

Kite159 · 20 Dec 2014

Going to / have be(en) taken over by West Coast?

martynbristow · 20 Dec 2014

Welcome to Compass Tours by Rail
Compass Tours is no longer based in Cheshire and all enquiries should be made to:

West Coast Railways

Jesson Way

Crag Bank

Carnforth

Lancs

LA5 9UR

TEL:0844 850 4685

Please do not attempt to contact Compass Tours by E-mail at present as we cannot guarantee a response.

Compass Tours wish all our passengers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thank you all for the support over the last 10 years!

A 2015 programme is in the pipeline and should be along shortly into the new year.

Given it says a 2015 programme is in the pipeline are you sure they aren't just shut for Christmas potentially moving bases too.
It says last minute bookings to WCRC.
Most offices will have shut from Friday and reopen in the new year.

Urban-Savage · 20 Dec 2014

Mmmmmm I doubt it - they had only just moved to Frodsham in a much trumped and published move a few months ago...

The web page message suggests to me an unexpected and unplanned move suddenly.

Hope they are OK as I've have had a number of very well run trips with them. Aside from one or two narky stewards they have been excellent.

Also noted their last land cruise was very suddenly cancelled too....

All very odd

Masboroughlad · 20 Dec 2014

Something bizarre as only just moved. If they have merged with WCRC, I will be sorry.

SpacePhoenix · 21 Dec 2014

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs15.htm doesn't show any tours by them in 2015

matt · 21 Dec 2014

SpacePhoenix said:
http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs15.htm doesn't show any tours by them in 2015

That only lists steam tours. In the past they have run steam but I don't think they did this year.

SpacePhoenix · 22 Dec 2014

matt said:
That only lists steam tours. In the past they have run steam but I don't think they did this year.

Do you know of any sites that give the same sort of info but also cover diesel (and electric if there are any) propulsion?

table38 · 22 Dec 2014

SpacePhoenix said:
Do you know of any sites that give the same sort of info but also cover diesel (and electric if there are any) propulsion?

http://www.railtourinfo.co.uk/ is usually good, but nothing listed for 2015 yet!

Railway Herald also keeps a list here: http://railwayherald.com/railtours

STANDISH · 22 Dec 2014

Yes Railway Herald on line magazine and UK diesel Rail Tours.

To try to put this topic back on track. Could anybody ,who lives in the local area confirm, whether everything has shut down on Helsby station ?

Thanks for any information.

Standish

STANDISH · 30 Dec 2014

The latest edition of north wales coast railway web confirms nothing is no longer open at the station.

Tracky · 30 Dec 2014

They've gone. They've been struggling for months if not longer.

Aquired by West Coast Railways - I'd guess more for the mailing list than anything else.

I do worry about West Coast playing Monopoly.

Urban-Savage · 30 Dec 2014

I'd be sorry if that's the case.

Their facebook page is also down too.

Was wondering if everything was ok - was due to go on one of their weekend away trips, but was cancelled at last minute n was rather challenging getting my cash back.

Phil6219 · 1 Jan 2015

I was on the trip to Edinburgh a fortnight ago, I think it was their last one to run. There was an announcement on the way back but it was really hard to hear as the PA wasn't exactly brilliant and too many people chatting but the gist of it was along the lines of the main guy was leaving after so many years in charge and that they were working on next years (sic) programme.

It is a pity if they have ended up under WCRC as frankly I have a low opinion of them and their inability to turn out rolling stock that doesn't either fall to pieces, have knackered heating or a lavatory that works for at least half of the outward journey. The only good thing about WCRC is the fact they have a fleet of duffs...

Phil 8-)

Phil6219 · 17 Jan 2015

The old website is still there but they have now put a new one online at http://www.compassrail.co.uk/

Looks pretty much like a full on WCRC operation now.

Their first tour is on the 25th March, despite it being West Coast at least they are running something

Phil

neildimmer · 17 Jan 2015

to quote

This website is currently under construction:

An update on progress will be posted on Monday 19th January 2015.

Masboroughlad · 18 Jan 2015

It was working then seems to have stopped.

Tracky · 19 Jan 2015

New site updated for "Compass Rail" and the old one is still up for "Compass Tours by Rail"

You would be forgiven for thinking nothing had changed. The new site doesn't explicitly say the scouse pair have sold up. There is also no further information regarding the lease taken out for station buildings at Helsby and Frodsham.

fgwrich · 5 Feb 2015

New and rather smart website now up and running. They now also seem to be called Compass by West Coast - something I find a little ironic given the cumbrian Compass on the DRS fleet.

http://www.compassrail.co.uk/

Although not mentioning any of the recent events, it does contain a fair bit of Compass Rail's history and locos on previous tours, so it doesn't look all bad. And I prefer their website design to the rather tired layout used by other tour operators, namely a certain Riviera owned Pathfinder.

Tracky · 20 Jun 2015

West Coast, after seemingly taking over the business, have now removed all 'compass by west coast' branding from the railtour advertisements...

theironroad · 24 Jun 2015

From the link above:

"We have now integrated the Compass Tours program of trips into the main West Coast Railtours selection of trips. All bookings on the Compass By West Coast trips are still valid and remain as per the issued tickets."

Masboroughlad · 27 Jun 2015

I was contemplating a trip from Rotherham to Betws-y-Coed on 9th Sept.

When I looked a couple of days ago it started at Sheffield and went via Lancaster. Now it starts a Scarborough and I assume, goes via the Hope Valley.

Why the change?
Have any other of their tours changed?

A real pity that the enthusiasm and charm of Compass seems to be getting lost under West Coast?

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