Why don’t heritage railways make an effort to “sell” diesel traction?

[Richard Scott]

I'm saying that to the public at large, a steam locomotive is an exciting attraction, a piece of history, an exciting working industrial machine. A "noisy vibrating smelly box" is what they often find is delayed when they're waiting for the 0745 to local-town. Most people don't care about Deltics and thrash. To them there are "steam trains" and "others", the "others" still being about the place and often being delayed and overcrowded and a bit crap.

If we'd had widespread electrification I can see people getting excited about diesel traction, but given it is how most regional services are provided it just isn't that interesting? You and I might know that a 195 and a 101 are generations apart but the experience isn't wildly different. Likewise a Deltic or a 37 hauling some Mk3s isn't dissimilar to EMR or LNER or GWR within the last 15 years rattling as part of a IC125 - hardly worth travelling for. (Hell, if you lived on the Cumbrian coast line it was just part of life a few years ago...)

Diesels are fine, I guess, if you're into that, but I can see why heritage (again, read "Steam") Railways don't actively promote "relive the railway of 2015" - the all-in "1950s" experience of well-staffed stations, vintage outfits and alike is simply a much more compelling event to sell premium tickets for.

They have a historical value in terms of the British Railway, but they aren't yet novel - why would I pay premium for a day out on a train which isn't notably different to my local commute? I want the magic, the steam, the sense of a different era.

I'm not saying that's correct, I'm just saying that I imagine that is a very common viewpoint. Steam trains are a unique and historical - a noisy smelly box of vibrations is the daily commute.

And, again, I reiterate that I'm sure when the first heritage railways opened a lot of people were saying the same thing then - that steam trains are noisy and horrible and smelly and why would anyone want to experience that? Give it 50 years and a rolling electrification programme and diesel might be something exciting. But until then, you're trying to sell "remember your commute a while back? Here it is again but now it costs you more as a day out!" which is probably a harder sell than showing your kids a steam engine - with its seemingly instant personality and engineering wizardry on full show - chugging about the place.

Interestingly one heritage railway had a day with two Deltics and took the most money in tickets it had ever taken in one day! Locos like Deltics do still attract the general public, when one visited locally my uncle asked about it and when it was running, I didn't know he had any interest in railways!
Having said that it's turning into a steam vs diesel debate, which is not how this started. It's about promoting heritage diesel traction not replacing steam. I doubt anyone on here would say diesel will ever be more popular than steam but if promoted properly heritage diesels are an added attraction at the Railway. You don't see Alton Towers apologising for some of their rides so why do certain staff at heritage railways put down the product they're offering?

 

[Ianigsy]

A few years ago I bought a return for the Strathspey Railway at Aviemore and was asked, “It’s a diesel. Is that OK?”. In the circumstances the opportunity to enjoy a Class 31 so far north was too good to pass up.

DMUs are particularly good at shifting large numbers of people, so if your line has a Thomas or Paw Patrol weekend, you can move visitors around to see all the attractions and nobody has to wait too long. The Worth Valley quite often has a DMU
or diesel hauled set out as well as a steam set, again because people turn up wanting to go to or from Haworth and some of them would rather wait half an hour for a diesel than an hour and a half for steam.

 

[satisnek]

You need to look into the mindset of the non-enthusiast punter (typically a young parent) looking for a day out. 'Old trains' go 'chuff chuff woo woo' and any other train doesn't. Interest in diesels is very much a generational thing - the earlier, generally low-revving classes appeal to those born between 1960 and 1975 (like me), while today's young folk like the shiny, brightly-coloured low-emission machines now in service on the national system. I can't see any interest being sustained when the respective generations die off, so maybe the heritage lines really do need to 'sell' diesel traction?

 

[birchesgreen]

You need to look into the mindset of the non-enthusiast punter (typically a young parent) looking for a day out. 'Old trains' go 'chuff chuff woo woo' and any other train doesn't. Interest in diesels is very much a generational thing - the earlier, generally low-revving classes appeal to those born between 1960 and 1975 (like me), while today's young folk like the shiny, brightly-coloured low-emission machines now in service on the national system. I can't see any interest being sustained when the respective generations die off, so maybe the heritage lines really do need to 'sell' diesel traction?

They do? Seems like kids* still get frothy for Class 37s and Class 43 power cars and the likes.

* which to me is anyone younger than about 35

 

[Iskra]

They do? Seems like kids* still get frothy for Class 37s and Class 43 power cars and the likes.

* which to me is anyone younger than about 35

Indeed, I think diesel has a bright future seeing how many youngsters turn out to ‘phot/film’ mainline railtours (The Francis B effect?). At the Wensleydale the other weekend, you couldn’t move for kids and they were running a 37 & 14. In 2023, I went to Kings Cross on a Deltic and the station staff were saying that more had turned out to see it than for Flying Scotsman.

Among enthusiasts, diesel is probably more popular than ever as the numbers who remember mainline steam dwindle. It’s the non-enthusiasts that need winning over, and it can be done with better explanation of the classic diesel product and their ‘story.’ At York a few years back for the DRS Class 20 farewell tour, a non-enthusiast asked me if a steam train was coming, I said no and explained (simply) about Class 20’s and how old they are, that they make a good noise, are popular with enthusiasts etc. He clearly became interested as he then kept asking questions like what their future would be after the tour etc and he stayed around with his kids to watch the train leave. It can be done, it just takes more effort and is probably easier with the more open minded (not coach tour groups)!

 

[Flying Phil]

The GCR has at least 6 diesel running days advertised and two Diesel Gala events. They have a row of heritage diesels close to the platform at Loughborough and they advertise their diesel railcar services.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The Ffestiniog had to revert to diesel due to fire risk, and seemed quite keen to use it as marketing, an impromptu 'diesel fest.' Largely as a method to attract those who wanted some diesel haulage, not normally on offer. Even though its now dragged on a wee bit...

Years ago when our family rode the Ffestiniog, they had a cut-price "Early Bird" ticket which meant getting the first departure out of Porthmadog which was diesel-hauled. No break of journey was permitted on that run, but the return journey could be made at your leisure with as many breaks of journey as you liked. Dad, being a Yorkshireman, was more than happy to save a bit of money on an expensive family day out!
This is the sort of thing that would work on most heritage lines, as quite often the first trip of the day is diesel due to the reduced preparation time needed.

As for encouraging excitement for the diesel services, I'm personally much more interested in riding a heritage DMU or behind a classic diesel loco than I am a kettle... but I find the "Diesel Gala" crowds rather irritating and would much rather roll the dice on getting some interesting haulage on a normal running day. I expect some of our members who are volunteers will be able to confirm or deny my suspicions that diesel galas are particularly difficult in terms of passenger behaviour?

 

[renegademaster]

I like when they put a diesel on one end and a steam engine on the other, but i understand neither group of enthusiasts like that.

 

[amahy]

I like when they put a diesel on one end and a steam engine on the other, but i understand neither group of enthusiasts like that.

I don't mind that, and I'm primarily a diesel enthusiast. Means that if one loco fails, the train can still proceed. I'm not keen on when you get a steam and diesel both on one end. It happens every year at SVR's winter diesel day, and just means that all you can hear is the steam loco, at what is supposed to be a diesel event!

 

[Richard Scott]

I like when they put a diesel on one end and a steam engine on the other, but i understand neither group of enthusiasts like that.

I don't mind as like both. Seems to be a misconception that you either like steam or diesel but there are plenty of us that are happy with either!!

 

[renegademaster]

I don't mind that, and I'm primarily a diesel enthusiast. Means that if one loco fails, the train can still proceed. I'm not keen on when you get a steam and diesel both on one end. It happens every year at SVR's winter diesel day, and just means that all you can hear is the steam loco, at what is supposed to be a diesel event!

Sounds like they only have steam heat coaches.

I don't mind as like both. Seems to be a misconception that you either like steam or diesel but there are plenty of us that are happy with either!!

Their's plenty of the mainline steam crowd that get annoyed when they see a 47 on the back.

 

[Richard Scott]

Their's plenty of the mainline steam crowd that get annoyed when they see a 47 on the back.

I don't doubt that, there are still many with a foot firmly in one camp but there are plenty who are happy with either.

 

[kje7812]

Sounds like they only have steam heat coaches.

Correct, the SVR only has steam heat and vacuum brake coaches available for regular use.

 

[satisnek]

They do? Seems like kids* still get frothy for Class 37s and Class 43 power cars and the likes.

* which to me is anyone younger than about 35

That's good to hear. All I know is that the SVR's 'modern traction' bonanza last year (and I include HST power cars because they post-date the early BR classes and they're fitted with modern engines anyway) saw a very large number of young enthusiasts who don't normally appear at 'classic' diesel galas.

Sounds like they only have steam heat coaches.

They probably had any electric heat gubbins removed at the same time as the air brake equipment, when they were received from BR. We all make mistakes...

Their's plenty of the mainline steam crowd that get annoyed when they see a 47 on the back.

Mainly, I would guess, the lineside phot/vid brigade, but since they don't pay for the railtour their opinions don't count

 

[tbtc]

I was at Beamish a couple of weeks ago and heartened at the good numbers of people eschewing the 'obvious' 1913 centerpiece for the 1950s semi detached houses etc in the post-war section (which opened in 2022)

The novelty of a section that's only been open three years will have added something, I accept, still the first visit some people will have made, I'm sure the tweeness of the cobbled streets and olde sweet shop/ drapers etc will always do well with tourists.

But once upon a time I'd have laughed at the idea that the mundanity of a Welfare Hall/ Mecanno/ suburban police station would compete with the horse-drawn carriages and trams that people associate with Beamish. And yet both had good crowds.

Obviously there's still demand for the Victorian stuff, but today's grandparents grew up with the Beatles/ Disco/ Punk rather than Vera Lynn. The lure of taking your grandchildren to experience the era you grew up in will always be strong but now that may more about blue diesels than steam.

Sites just need to market it better. Instead of apologizing for the consolation prize, sell diesel properly. Turn a 'weakness' into a strength, call it a "Seventies Retro Day", promote events using 1980s colours/logos on your website (e.g. the typeface of Back To The Future/ Saturday Night Fever), you could promote it to people celebrating wedding anniversaries.

Kids know Thomas The Tank Engine/ Hogwarts Express etc but today's kids also have Chuggington. Images of 1980s trains seem to feature heavily as shorthand for football 'away days' even amongst fans under forty who'll have no first hand memories of foot-exes

Embrace it though. Can a late Seventies themed event package a ticket for "£19.77" (even if you need to throw in drinks/ shop vouchers to compensate for the temporary price increase)? CurlyWurlys and Tizer on the refreshment trolley/Cafe. Make fake announcements over the Tannoy from Reggie Perrin ("Eleven minutes late, seasonal manpower shortages, Clapham Junction", "Twenty-two minutes late, escaped puma, Chessington North") even though your preserved railway is nowhere near London.

Or the eighties/nineties equivalent, where your Tannoy announcer apologies that "the next Intercity train to London has been cancelled due to the wrong type of snow" even though your event is in the summer.

Today's public want 'experiences'. Ordinary members of the public will enjoy light-hearted cultural references from the era. stick up posters for the Olympics/ World Cup of the era concerned. Maybe a prize for the 'most eighties' outfit, encourage people to dress up. It'll be something to mention to friends as an anecdote from your visit. Instragrammable for the family members who aren't as bothered about traction types

I'm not asking for any railway to burn it's bridges with the lucrative steam market, people will always want the romance/messiness/ nostalgia/noise of a steam locomotive, even though most of today's audience never experienced it the first time around.

But the long term future of steam on preserved lines might be tougher (depending on rules about emissions, noise, coal supply). If lines treat diesels like 'supply teachers' then it'll be hard to sell that in future years. Instead, nip down the Cash&Carry for a box of Monster Munch, stick Absolute '70s on in the cafe, a poster promoting 'Grease'/'Star Wars', present a photo gallery on your website of people dressed up for your previous seventies event to encourage others next time, that kind of thing.

Apologising for diesels reinforces the idea that they are substandard, which builds problems for the future

 

[Wyrleybart]

That's good to hear. All I know is that the SVR's 'modern traction' bonanza last year (and I include HST power cars because they post-date the early BR classes and they're fitted with modern engines anyway) saw a very large number of young enthusiasts who don't normally appear at 'classic' diesel galas.

They probably had any electric heat gubbins removed at the same time as the air brake equipment, when they were received from BR. We all make mistakes...

Mainly, I would guess, the lineside phot/vid brigade, but since they don't pay for the railtour their opinions don't count

Of course the SVR publicity machine is cranking up for the gala later in the year which seems to be a tribute to class 37s. From what I have heard / read D6948 from Toddington, 37075 from the K&WVR, 37294 from Embsay as well as one from LSL and WCR. Guessing 37263 will be on it's swansong before retiring back to Telford

 

[Ashley Hill]

I was at Beamish a couple of weeks ago and heartened at the good numbers of people eschewing the 'obvious' 1913 centerpiece for the 1950s semi detached houses etc in the post-war section (which opened in 2022)

The novelty of a section that's only been open three years will have added something, I accept, still the first visit some people will have made, I'm sure the tweeness of the cobbled streets and olde sweet shop/ drapers etc will always do well with tourists.

But once upon a time I'd have laughed at the idea that the mundanity of a Welfare Hall/ Mecanno/ suburban police station would compete with the horse-drawn carriages and trams that people associate with Beamish. And yet both had good crowds.

Obviously there's still demand for the Victorian stuff, but today's grandparents grew up with the Beatles/ Disco/ Punk rather than Vera Lynn. The lure of taking your grandchildren to experience the era you grew up in will always be strong but now that may more about blue diesels than steam.

Sites just need to market it better. Instead of apologizing for the consolation prize, sell diesel properly. Turn a 'weakness' into a strength, call it a "Seventies Retro Day", promote events using 1980s colours/logos on your website (e.g. the typeface of Back To The Future/ Saturday Night Fever), you could promote it to people celebrating wedding anniversaries.

Kids know Thomas The Tank Engine/ Hogwarts Express etc but today's kids also have Chuggington. Images of 1980s trains seem to feature heavily as shorthand for football 'away days' even amongst fans under forty who'll have no first hand memories of foot-exes

Embrace it though. Can a late Seventies themed event package a ticket for "£19.77" (even if you need to throw in drinks/ shop vouchers to compensate for the temporary price increase)? CurlyWurlys and Tizer on the refreshment trolley/Cafe. Make fake announcements over the Tannoy from Reggie Perrin ("Eleven minutes late, seasonal manpower shortages, Clapham Junction", "Twenty-two minutes late, escaped puma, Chessington North") even though your preserved railway is nowhere near London.

Or the eighties/nineties equivalent, where your Tannoy announcer apologies that "the next Intercity train to London has been cancelled due to the wrong type of snow" even though your event is in the summer.

Today's public want 'experiences'. Ordinary members of the public will enjoy light-hearted cultural references from the era. stick up posters for the Olympics/ World Cup of the era concerned. Maybe a prize for the 'most eighties' outfit, encourage people to dress up. It'll be something to mention to friends as an anecdote from your visit. Instragrammable for the family members who aren't as bothered about traction types

I'm not asking for any railway to burn it's bridges with the lucrative steam market, people will always want the romance/messiness/ nostalgia/noise of a steam locomotive, even though most of today's audience never experienced it the first time around.

But the long term future of steam on preserved lines might be tougher (depending on rules about emissions, noise, coal supply). If lines treat diesels like 'supply teachers' then it'll be hard to sell that in future years. Instead, nip down the Cash&Carry for a box of Monster Munch, stick Absolute '70s on in the cafe, a poster promoting 'Grease'/'Star Wars', present a photo gallery on your website of people dressed up for your previous seventies event to encourage others next time, that kind of thing.

Apologising for diesels reinforces the idea that they are substandard, which builds problems for the future

You make some interesting points here. Let’s hope some railways take up your ideas for themed weekends.

 

[father_jack]

Conversation with an elderly ticket clerk at a major preserved railway say 200 miles from where i am-

"Return to the end of the line please."
"I'm afraid the next train is a diesel...."
"That's why I'm here....."
(Late substitution for failed steam)
He disappears out the back mid sale.
Eventually returns with ticket.

Train missed.

Platform supervisor was livid.

Didn't return for years.

 

[xotGD]

I like when they put a diesel on one end and a steam engine on the other, but i understand neither group of enthusiasts like that.

When the KWVR do that, the diesel totters downhill and the steamer chuffs away uphill.

 

[Iskra]

When the KWVR do that, the diesel totters downhill and the steamer chuffs away uphill.

The diesel normally thrashes a bit on the Great Northern straight out of Ingrow, but that’s your lot really on those turns.

 

[xotGD]

The diesel normally thrashes a bit on the Great Northern straight out of Ingrow, but that’s your lot really on those turns.

Yes, head out on departure from Ingrow.

 

[generalnerd]

I was at Beamish a couple of weeks ago and heartened at the good numbers of people eschewing the 'obvious' 1913 centerpiece for the 1950s semi detached houses etc in the post-war section (which opened in 2022)

The novelty of a section that's only been open three years will have added something, I accept, still the first visit some people will have made, I'm sure the tweeness of the cobbled streets and olde sweet shop/ drapers etc will always do well with tourists.

But once upon a time I'd have laughed at the idea that the mundanity of a Welfare Hall/ Mecanno/ suburban police station would compete with the horse-drawn carriages and trams that people associate with Beamish. And yet both had good crowds.

Obviously there's still demand for the Victorian stuff, but today's grandparents grew up with the Beatles/ Disco/ Punk rather than Vera Lynn. The lure of taking your grandchildren to experience the era you grew up in will always be strong but now that may more about blue diesels than steam.

Sites just need to market it better. Instead of apologizing for the consolation prize, sell diesel properly. Turn a 'weakness' into a strength, call it a "Seventies Retro Day", promote events using 1980s colours/logos on your website (e.g. the typeface of Back To The Future/ Saturday Night Fever), you could promote it to people celebrating wedding anniversaries.

Kids know Thomas The Tank Engine/ Hogwarts Express etc but today's kids also have Chuggington. Images of 1980s trains seem to feature heavily as shorthand for football 'away days' even amongst fans under forty who'll have no first hand memories of foot-exes

Embrace it though. Can a late Seventies themed event package a ticket for "£19.77" (even if you need to throw in drinks/ shop vouchers to compensate for the temporary price increase)? CurlyWurlys and Tizer on the refreshment trolley/Cafe. Make fake announcements over the Tannoy from Reggie Perrin ("Eleven minutes late, seasonal manpower shortages, Clapham Junction", "Twenty-two minutes late, escaped puma, Chessington North") even though your preserved railway is nowhere near London.

Or the eighties/nineties equivalent, where your Tannoy announcer apologies that "the next Intercity train to London has been cancelled due to the wrong type of snow" even though your event is in the summer.

Today's public want 'experiences'. Ordinary members of the public will enjoy light-hearted cultural references from the era. stick up posters for the Olympics/ World Cup of the era concerned. Maybe a prize for the 'most eighties' outfit, encourage people to dress up. It'll be something to mention to friends as an anecdote from your visit. Instragrammable for the family members who aren't as bothered about traction types

I'm not asking for any railway to burn it's bridges with the lucrative steam market, people will always want the romance/messiness/ nostalgia/noise of a steam locomotive, even though most of today's audience never experienced it the first time around.

But the long term future of steam on preserved lines might be tougher (depending on rules about emissions, noise, coal supply). If lines treat diesels like 'supply teachers' then it'll be hard to sell that in future years. Instead, nip down the Cash&Carry for a box of Monster Munch, stick Absolute '70s on in the cafe, a poster promoting 'Grease'/'Star Wars', present a photo gallery on your website of people dressed up for your previous seventies event to encourage others next time, that kind of thing.

Apologising for diesels reinforces the idea that they are substandard, which builds problems for the future

Very good points.

I’ve always thought a ‘BR blue’ themed event would work well. Many people I’ve spoken to say they find it nostalgic, especially with the sandwiches and old uniforms. A few mk2’s, some br-looking uniforms and some (complimentary) BR sandwiches and you have yourself a winner of an event.

 

[Amos390]

They do? Seems like kids* still get frothy for Class 37s and Class 43 power cars and the likes.

* which to me is anyone younger than about 35

I can confirm this as a child myself, I love when a diesel comes through a station, and always get more excite about diesel galas than steam galas on heritage railways.

 

[nferguso]

There are quite a few enthusiast-driven misconceptions here. The general public, i.e. the principal source of revenue for heritage railways, are ambivalent to diesel haulage. They will accept it, perhaps with a touch of disappointment, Dad might get a little hot under the collar for his spotting days, but steam is what brings in the punters.

Ask a child about a train and I guarantee they will say ‘choo choo’. For the past sixty years, people have written about how steam will fade from the national consciousness, but it refuses to do so thanks in considerable part to the Media. I think the Harry Potter franchise has done considerable service to raising awareness of steam (and MK.1 SKs!) and people recognise a ‘Harry Potter Train’.

As a real life example, the EVR does a lot of business with tour organisers. Steam is what they want and if we given them dates for diesel operation, the silence is deafening.

Diesels are incredibly useful, I for one have a soft spot for Class 47s and in the dry season, they are a godsend. However, market your railway as the ‘XYZ Diesel Railway’ and you won’t have people flocking through your gates on a week-by-week basis.

 

[kje7812]

There are quite a few enthusiast-driven misconceptions here. The general public, i.e. the principal source of revenue for heritage railways, are ambivalent to diesel haulage. They will accept it, perhaps with a touch of disappointment, Dad might get a little hot under the collar for his spotting days, but steam is what brings in the punters.

Ask a child about a train and I guarantee they will say ‘choo choo’. For the past sixty years, people have written about how steam will fade from the national consciousness, but it refuses to do so thanks in considerable part to the Media. I think the Harry Potter franchise has done considerable service to raising awareness of steam (and MK.1 SKs!) and people recognise a ‘Harry Potter Train’.

As a real life example, the EVR does a lot of business with tour organisers. Steam is what they want and if we given them dates for diesel operation, the silence is deafening.

Diesels are incredibly useful, I for one have a soft spot for Class 47s and in the dry season, they are a godsend. However, market your railway as the ‘XYZ Diesel Railway’ and you won’t have people flocking through your gates on a week-by-week basis.

Agreed.

 

[Richard Scott]

There are quite a few enthusiast-driven misconceptions here. The general public, i.e. the principal source of revenue for heritage railways, are ambivalent to diesel haulage. They will accept it, perhaps with a touch of disappointment, Dad might get a little hot under the collar for his spotting days, but steam is what brings in the punters.

Ask a child about a train and I guarantee they will say ‘choo choo’. For the past sixty years, people have written about how steam will fade from the national consciousness, but it refuses to do so thanks in considerable part to the Media. I think the Harry Potter franchise has done considerable service to raising awareness of steam (and MK.1 SKs!) and people recognise a ‘Harry Potter Train’.

As a real life example, the EVR does a lot of business with tour organisers. Steam is what they want and if we given them dates for diesel operation, the silence is deafening.

Diesels are incredibly useful, I for one have a soft spot for Class 47s and in the dry season, they are a godsend. However, market your railway as the ‘XYZ Diesel Railway’ and you won’t have people flocking through your gates on a week-by-week basis.

The thread is about promoting diesels not a steam/diesel debate. As I noted previously I doubt anyone on here is saying that Steam isn't the main player on preserved lines but that sensible promotion of diesels may help preserved lines themselves. If you have a product, market it in addition to what you already have.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Genuine questions:
How many heritage railways promote their "rail product" on Instagram, X, TikTok Facebook, YouTube?
How many do that actively? Several posts per week, on every week. To increase their "brand awareness" on the platforms' algorithms?
How many elicit visitors' feedback during and after a railway event? How many socialise that insight through social media platforms / reels?

I ask these because my wife, son and I are assisting a local dog rescue centre to build its digital brand, raise its visibility and generate much needed revenue.

 

[nferguso]

The thread is about promoting diesels not a steam/diesel debate. As I noted previously I doubt anyone on here is saying that Steam isn't the main player on preserved lines but that sensible promotion of diesels may help preserved lines themselves. If you have a product, market it in addition to what you already have.

You can promote diesels all you like but you can't buck the market. Take a look at the graph below and work out when the EVR moved from a diesel railway to steam.

Genuine question:
How many heritage railways primote their "product" on Instagram, X, TikTok Facebook, YouTube?
How many do that aactively? Several posts per week. Every week. To get their "brand awareness" up the platforms' algorithms?
How many elicit visitors' feedback during and after a railway event? How many socialise that insight through social media platforms / reels?

I ask these because my wife, son and I are assisting a dog rescue business to build its digital brand, raise its visibility and generate much needed revenue.

I think you will find that most heritage railways are increasingly on-point with their social media campaigns.

 

[Richard Scott]

You can promote diesels all you like but you can't buck the market. Take a look at the graph below and work out when the EVR moved from a diesel railway to steam.

View attachment 181044



I think you will find that most heritage railways are increasingly on-point with their social media campaigns.

We're not disputing any of that, please read what people are writing. No-one has said that diesels could displace steam.
It gets very frustrating when people go off on their own tangent and fail to note what's actually being said.
The point is can diesels be better marketed to appeal to a wider audience and bring more revenue to heritage lines, not replace steam engines.

 

[nferguso]

We're not disputing any of that, please read what people are writing. No-one has said that diesels could displace steam.
It gets very frustrating when people go off on their own tangent and fail to note what's actually being said.
The point is can diesels be better marketed to appeal to a wider audience and bring more revenue to heritage lines, not replace steam engines.

I am afraid you are missing the point by a country mile. Speaking for my line, we probably push diesel running harder than steam because it is harder to sell. You ask "...can diesels be better marketed to appeal to a wider audience..." and the answer is that you can market the **** out of diesels but the general public (as opposed to enthusiasts) don't get excited about them.

Case in point: we had 55019 at the EVR back in 2021 and it stayed for about a month. First weekend - marvellous - carriages bursting at the seams, but after that, the bashers had had their fix and went onto their next thing. By the time the Deltic left us, loadings were, at best, average.

Now, I'm sorry if I have gone off topic but that's life. Some of us deal day in and day out with the running of a heritage railway, including watching the revenue on a day-by-day basis, monitoring loadings and - above everything else - the bank account. I shall repeat what I said earlier: the general public is ambivalent towards diesel haulage and try as hard as you might, once the enthusiasts have gone home, mum, dad and the 2.4 kids don't turn-up.