In December I made a journey on the East Lancs Santa Special, along with the family. I thought parking might be a problem, so selected a MetroLink station with a big car park and came in to Bury by tram.
They ran something like a 50-minute frequency every day for a fortnight. That equates to a ten-coach train crammed with families with a steam engine on one end. Last year they carried something like 40,000 passengers, and, at a cost above £20, probably had takings of above a million pounds. A great feat of logistics, not least ensuring kids didn't get to glimpse more than one Santa!
A million pounds. But there again the ELR is close to a major conurbation, with good public transport access, a huge volunteer base and well-kept stock and locomotives. The grotto effect was brilliant, the gifts were decent and the staff very professional. Couldn't fault it.
I don't want to be nasty, but a lot of the preserved railway setups in the last couple of decades are running on any old freight line in remote locations, with cast-off rolling stock, no steam locos, a very sparse service (not enough volunteers) and nothing very much to see at either end. They will ALWAYS struggle, hardy enthusiasts might drive up to these places to give them the once-over but with not being able to do credible Thomas Days or Santa Specials to draw in the families I cannot see them ever thriving. I would LOVE to be proved wrong though!