railfan99
Established Member
Of the UK's c.174 heritage railways/tramways/light railways, about 30 responded to this most informative survey by the British Tourism Authority, the results for which were dated September 2022.
Of particular note is that for the responding railways (which I assume would tend to be the larger ones such as NYMR), passenger numbers increased markedly in 2021 compared to 2020. Perhaps not surprising given the lockdown history, but what was pleasing is that the recovery was better than for some other attraction classes.
On page 33, it highlights how (paid) visitor numbers (i.e. travellers) on heritage railways in 2020-21 increased by 118 per cent compared to 2019-20, far more than any of the other categories compared. A very good effort, though perhaps that reflects a terrible 2019-20. (Page 39 mentions a 120 per cent rise in 2020-21 compared with a 55 per cent fall in 2019-20).
As a foreigner it's great that the UK's tourism authority recognises steam/heritage railways as a separate class. To my mind this can only help the HRA's various lobbying efforts.
Page 35 states 'steam/heritage railways made a remarkable recovery...' Huge thanks to any of you who volunteer!
There is even a photo of the Severn Valley Railway at Brignorth I gather on page 15.
Of the 29 railways that answered the question, it stood out far more than any other attraction type in that 24 per cent said they partially closed during 2021 for planned (as distrinct from ad hoc) refurbishment or repairs. Only six per cent of the responding railways closed for all of 2021, perhaps not surprising as if they don't operate, no revenue apart from donations and government grants would flow in.
The report suggests that at 58 per cent, family visitor numbers have 'moderate' penetration (compared to total visitors) for heritage railways, but the situation in 2020-21 was positive with 56 per cent of the 27 responding railways seeing a rise in this category.
Overall for a subsector that was battered, the report implies a reasonably optimistic picture for revenue and likely continuing volunteer numbers.
The median fare was said to be GBP9.80. This seems low but given the figures probably include child fares where the latter is charged, it's perhaps understandable.
There was a positive 103 per cent change in gross revenue (i.e. a doubling in fare income, plus income from kiosks, charters, specials etc.) at heritage railways in 2020-21 compared with a 3 per cent drop the year before. So let's say railway X had gross revenue of GBP1.0 million in 2018-19. In 2019-20, this would have dropped to GBP370000 but risen to GBP751100 in 2020-21 if my maths is correct. (Please check!)
So especially with inflation, it was behind, but hopefully your Lottery Grants or other donations have helped to fill the gap.
The publicity about UK (and other nations') recessions isn't helpful to continuing to grow passenger numbers and the all important revenue figures in 2023, and inflation in the UK (as in my country and many others) is a big challenge.
However in my September-early October 2022 visits to East Lancashire Railway, Llangollen Railway, West Somerset Railway, the excellent Great Central Railway steam gala, Crich Tramway Museum and North Norfolk Railway, I was generally impressed with observed patronage and the wonderful volunteers who make up the majority of the individuals with whom passengers interact. (Sometimes it's hard to know if a person is paid staff).
I had planned to also visit Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and Scotland's Strathspey Railway but had to abandon these due to the 1 and 5 October 2022 rail strikes. (I have previously travelled on North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Severn Valley Railway and the commercial one at Paignton).
Page 63 suggests a majority of the responding heritage railways were successful in obtaining some form of government support.
Have a quick look to discover some more interesting statistics about the heritage railways that responded:
As a foreigner I don't buy the notion that due to inflation or a harsh winter, you're doomed in England. You as a people have a proud record of meeting challenges, even 80 years ago before the vast majority of us were born, and my hope and prayer is that you and your heritage railways can continue to exist and eventually again prosper even if in the short to medium term consumer spending is down due to energy costs skyrocketing.
Of particular note is that for the responding railways (which I assume would tend to be the larger ones such as NYMR), passenger numbers increased markedly in 2021 compared to 2020. Perhaps not surprising given the lockdown history, but what was pleasing is that the recovery was better than for some other attraction classes.
On page 33, it highlights how (paid) visitor numbers (i.e. travellers) on heritage railways in 2020-21 increased by 118 per cent compared to 2019-20, far more than any of the other categories compared. A very good effort, though perhaps that reflects a terrible 2019-20. (Page 39 mentions a 120 per cent rise in 2020-21 compared with a 55 per cent fall in 2019-20).
As a foreigner it's great that the UK's tourism authority recognises steam/heritage railways as a separate class. To my mind this can only help the HRA's various lobbying efforts.
Page 35 states 'steam/heritage railways made a remarkable recovery...' Huge thanks to any of you who volunteer!
There is even a photo of the Severn Valley Railway at Brignorth I gather on page 15.
Of the 29 railways that answered the question, it stood out far more than any other attraction type in that 24 per cent said they partially closed during 2021 for planned (as distrinct from ad hoc) refurbishment or repairs. Only six per cent of the responding railways closed for all of 2021, perhaps not surprising as if they don't operate, no revenue apart from donations and government grants would flow in.
The report suggests that at 58 per cent, family visitor numbers have 'moderate' penetration (compared to total visitors) for heritage railways, but the situation in 2020-21 was positive with 56 per cent of the 27 responding railways seeing a rise in this category.
Overall for a subsector that was battered, the report implies a reasonably optimistic picture for revenue and likely continuing volunteer numbers.
The median fare was said to be GBP9.80. This seems low but given the figures probably include child fares where the latter is charged, it's perhaps understandable.
There was a positive 103 per cent change in gross revenue (i.e. a doubling in fare income, plus income from kiosks, charters, specials etc.) at heritage railways in 2020-21 compared with a 3 per cent drop the year before. So let's say railway X had gross revenue of GBP1.0 million in 2018-19. In 2019-20, this would have dropped to GBP370000 but risen to GBP751100 in 2020-21 if my maths is correct. (Please check!)
So especially with inflation, it was behind, but hopefully your Lottery Grants or other donations have helped to fill the gap.
The publicity about UK (and other nations') recessions isn't helpful to continuing to grow passenger numbers and the all important revenue figures in 2023, and inflation in the UK (as in my country and many others) is a big challenge.
However in my September-early October 2022 visits to East Lancashire Railway, Llangollen Railway, West Somerset Railway, the excellent Great Central Railway steam gala, Crich Tramway Museum and North Norfolk Railway, I was generally impressed with observed patronage and the wonderful volunteers who make up the majority of the individuals with whom passengers interact. (Sometimes it's hard to know if a person is paid staff).
I had planned to also visit Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and Scotland's Strathspey Railway but had to abandon these due to the 1 and 5 October 2022 rail strikes. (I have previously travelled on North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Severn Valley Railway and the commercial one at Paignton).
Page 63 suggests a majority of the responding heritage railways were successful in obtaining some form of government support.
Have a quick look to discover some more interesting statistics about the heritage railways that responded:
As a foreigner I don't buy the notion that due to inflation or a harsh winter, you're doomed in England. You as a people have a proud record of meeting challenges, even 80 years ago before the vast majority of us were born, and my hope and prayer is that you and your heritage railways can continue to exist and eventually again prosper even if in the short to medium term consumer spending is down due to energy costs skyrocketing.
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