 A milestone was passed in 1979 when the first long haul tour (to Canada) was run.A new niche in independent rail travel was beginning to open up and in 1981 a small number of customers approached the company for tailor made arrangements.Ffestinog Travel was an integral part of the Commercial Department of the FR until 1992 when the decision was taken to make it a separate company, sister to the FR Company and wholly owned by the Festiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Trust.