When Alan Heywood and Liz Turner led Ffestiniog Travel's inaugural rail tour in 1974, little did they realise they would return with 38 travellers exactly 50 years later!

North Wales-based rail tour specialist Ffestiniog Travel ran its very first overseas tour to Switzerland in October 1974 and to mark its milestone 50th anniversary year decided to return to the place where it all began - complete with original tour leaders!

The group met at St Pancras Station almost 50 years to the day to catch the Eurostar to Switzerland on a special 8-day rail holiday extravaganza. Travellers enjoyed First Class rail rides in Switzerland and a special, private chartered steam journey in heritage carriages on the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway.

Alan Heywood, who at 84 remains a Ffestiniog Travel board director and continues to lead tours, commented: “It really was a trip down memory lane. Our connection with the famous Ffestiniog Railway was where it all began as we took inspiration for the first Swiss tour from their passengers.

“We carried out a survey which showed that people were keen to enjoy rail travel in scenic surroundings and were prepared to travel further afield as part of a holiday. Switzerland of course certainly ticked all the boxes and was an obvious choice for our very first tour, which attracted over 70 travellers.”