Flying Phil
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- 18 Apr 2016
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Lots of strange goings on on the IoWYou might want to re-phrase that...
Lots of strange goings on on the IoWYou might want to re-phrase that...
Not just first but third class as well as per the Ravilious painting. Moreover they can be experienced on each and every train. I get a bit "Huh" about the "heritage" part of heritage railways sometimes.Train Landscape (1939). Travel First Class on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to enjoy the full leather strap experience.
One of a number of railway terms with unfortunate double meanings, as in "blowing off"!You might want to re-phrase that...
I have never volunteered on a preserved railway, and rarely visit.
I did take grandkids to the little Evesham Valley Light Railway when they were little and they loved it. 17 & 15 now so perhaps not!
So these are my suggestions for making a preserved railway profitable.
1. Its theatre. make sure your set and actors are as your audience want to see.
2. not too expensive - that mans not too far probably
3. ham it up good. Nicely dressed platform and train staff, lots of whistling and flag waving and loco whistling - kids love that.
4. let kids see onto the footplate. let them see the fire. have staff who can explain to kids how stuff works at their level. Any teachers in your volunteers?
5. have train colouring books so kids have something to do on the train if they get bored. or just free placemats they can colour in.
6. At one end have some retail. if you have enough footfall you may attract market traders. Have a shop but more than the usual plastic thomas tat. people are suckers for 'tasteful' coasters, crockery. Decent retail will keep the ladies happy.
7. Catering. Again, this is part of the theatre. Cups and saucers, nice home made cake. comfy chairs. It needs to be more Costa than school dinners. decent tea and coffee. and the decor and furniture should match the rest of the theatre. or get and old Mk 1 and use that as the caff. And dont run out of cake at 15:00 just as the last train comes in! And make the catering available for non railway users. Lot of money from passing trade. i used to use the caff at the welshpool and llanfair station when travelling through mid wales.
8. Think, what other attraction can I have to keep people on site, so they stay longer and spend more £££. Model railway? craftsmen actually making stuff and selling it, like a glassblower, a wood turner or even a forge. And a kids play area, railway themed.
Look at Devon Railway Centre. 2 outdoor railways -narrow gauge, tea room, kids play areas, model railway housed in old carriages. £35 unlimited rides for granny, grandad and the kids.
I am sure some purists here will be going 'AAAARRRGGGGHHHH' at this. But if this keeps your heritage line alive, do you have a choice?
Can I add some of the environmental issues which are starting to have an impact - availability of good quality locomotive coal and possible restrictions on its use, possible future water shortages and the need to fit passenger rolling stock with retention tank toilets (and to have someone empty them). Will oil-firing of steam locos have to be considered?
Some of the longer heritage railways have been able to help TOCs with testing of new rolling stock (e.g. the GCR and SVR) or provide safe storage for new stock pending acceptance (MNR). This will bring useful extra income and, in the case of MNR, additional track capacity. Then there's filming. But many heritage lines won't be able to take advantage of these extra sources of income because of their location or route length.
In fairness to the W.S.R., they are by no means the only steam railway to suffer from what I have called "Big Chufferitis".
There needs to be a balance between small, cheap locomotives and big, expensive ones.One of the few railways that seems justifiably able to use "big engines" is the Mid-Hants, as it has a very stiff gradient out of Alton that needs to be taken from a standing start, but most should probably concentrate on using smaller engines.
It’s interesting that the Mid Hants was mentioned upthread as having a need for large engines due to the gradients.There needs to be a balance between small, cheap locomotives and big, expensive ones.
On the subject of gradients, is a big passenger engine the best for a steep standing start? On the GWSR, I am told that the best locomotive there (apart from the diesels!) is 2807, a heavy freight engine, because it has power, and only trundles along at 25mph. So perhaps all railways should have one.
It’s interesting that the Mid Hants was mentioned upthread as having a need for large engines due to the gradients.
Indeed it was.I believe it was nicknamed "The Alps" in pre-closure days. The thumpers managed it though !
Indeed it was.
1 in 60 Butts Junction to Medstead, then 1 in 60 down towards Ropley and 1 in 80 towards Alresford.
I think the Hampshire Units on the route were reduced to two coaches fairly early on as they were struggling? Don’t quote me on that though!
if its part of the 'theatre', why not?I think Ken H (post #94) makes several very important points which most of our preserved lines do seem to take on board, even though the purists do froth a bit at some dilution of the heritage in pursuit of the "filthy lucre!". It will be interesting to see how popular the GCR's "Goods Galore" event is in May, as that is very much aimed at the historic importance of goods traffic to the railways......and no "Bums on seats" in Windcutter wagons or Box vans!
I am sure some purists here will be going 'AAAARRRGGGGHHHH' at this. But if this keeps your heritage line alive, do you have a choice?
I think if the crowds are present, then the money will be being spent. This extra activity also benefits the local area - not just the railway. When a line has been temporarily closed, the effect locally has been surprisingly significant.....local councils do notice these things and recognise the overall benefit of "their railway". Thus the threat of a permanent closure does concentrate minds and, (so far...by and large......) our heritage lines are in good health.The previous post mentions crowds watching, but that does not pay the bills. Hopefully they were, mostly, spending money as well.
I think if the crowds are present, then the money will be being spent. This extra activity also benefits the local area - not just the railway. When a line has been temporarily closed, the effect locally has been surprisingly significant.....local councils do notice these things and recognise the overall benefit of "their railway". Thus the threat of a permanent closure does concentrate minds and, (so far...by and large......) our heritage lines are in good health.
Indeed it was.
1 in 60 Butts Junction to Medstead, then 1 in 60 down towards Ropley and 1 in 80 towards Alresford.
I think the Hampshire Units on the route were reduced to two coaches fairly early on as they were struggling? Don’t quote me on that though!
I agree with your comments very largely. In particular, galas have got out of hand. People with financial acumen are thus equally important as operators are.I spent 12 years volunteering at my local preserved railway. I recently made the decision to step away for the following reasons:
•Old boys club - the board members were only interested in looking after themselves. The operation was treated like a personal train set and the financial outcomes of galas spoke volumes. Locos would be hired in because the board members wanted them, at huge cost to the railway and hardly anybody would turn up for the galas resulting in a financial loss. Naturally, nobody would be held accountable for such a failing.
•Lack of leadership / Cohesiveness - In my eyes, a good preserved railway has an ex industry professionals leading the way - somebody that knows Transport management and can bond each department and their respective teams together. Sadly at this particular line, the directors did not have such expertise and this shows in the stunted growth and development of the railway over the past 5 years.
•Unreasonably Expectations - Outside of preservation, I’ve got a professional career, a social life and other hobbies. There was a very bad culture at this railway whereby you were treated poorly if you didn’t dedicate every single weekend to volunteering. Sadly, not everybody can dedicate their entire life to a preserved railway.
•Lack of leadership / Cohesiveness - In my eyes, a good preserved railway has an ex industry professionals leading the way - somebody that knows Transport management and can bond each department and their respective teams together.
I spent 12 years volunteering at my local preserved railway. I recently made the decision to step away for the following reasons:
•Old boys club - the board members were only interested in looking after themselves. The operation was treated like a personal train set and the financial outcomes of galas spoke volumes. Locos would be hired in because the board members wanted them, at huge cost to the railway and hardly anybody would turn up for the galas resulting in a financial loss. Naturally, nobody would be held accountable for such a failing.
•Lack of leadership / Cohesiveness - In my eyes, a good preserved railway has an ex industry professionals leading the way - somebody that knows Transport management and can bond each department and their respective teams together. Sadly at this particular line, the directors did not have such expertise and this shows in the stunted growth and development of the railway over the past 5 years.
•Unreasonably Expectations - Outside of preservation, I’ve got a professional career, a social life and other hobbies. There was a very bad culture at this railway whereby you were treated poorly if you didn’t dedicate every single weekend to volunteering. Sadly, not everybody can dedicate their entire life to a preserved railway.
Probably not and there were awkward questions posed at AGM by some disgruntled shareholders. (this was a few years ago, so I don't know if it is still happening)
I am sure some purists here will be going 'AAAARRRGGGGHHHH' at this. But if this keeps your heritage line alive, do you have a choice?