Different heritage line membership perks

[Vespa]

As stated in my title, I'm intetested in heritage railways membership perks, such as

Discounted 3-4 year membership being cheaper instead of 1 year only.

How many free train rides you can get per year and does this only cover normal running days or includes special events.

How much discount for booking tickets.

Discounted food, beverages, alcoholic drinks and gift shops.

Local attractions discount or freebies.

Reciprocal arrangement with other heritage or mainline rail lines.

Preferential bookings for special events.

Discount on dining car experiences.

Free parking.

It would be interesting to see which heritage lines offer good value.

It would be interesting to compare notes

 

[Jan Mayen]

Bluebell Railway - Lifetime membership. Unlimited 1st or 3rd Class travel, except on specials such as dining trains, Santa etc.

 

[Belperpete]

The HRA pass entitles you and a companion to free (or in a few cases discounted) travel on over 100 preserved railways, for only £42 a year. Incredible value, you can probably recoup that in just one visit to one of the more expensive lines. You have to be a volunteer or staff on one of the HRA member lines to qualify.

https://www.hra.uk.com/hra-privilege-2024

 

[xotGD]

Our annual membership of the KWVR gives us 3 days of free travel, half price on other normal operating days, discounts on gala days, free entry to the museums at Ingrow, 4 copies of Push & Pull magazine, and 10% off in the on train bar.

Probably some other things I have forgotten about.

 

[NER1621]

So @Vespa, you started off a topic asking which heritage railway is cheapest per mile, then a topic asking which heritage railway is most punctual, and now which heritage railway membership offers the most perks.

Are you compiling a “Which” guide to heritage railways?

 

[PlatformEdgeVT]

From the Heaton Park Tramway Website:

Membership includes:

• Editions of the Society Newsletter
• Email updates (*email address required)
• Free rides on the trams at Heaton Park
• The opportunity to help in the running of the tramway
• Free entry to Crich Tramway Village

 

[Vespa]

So @Vespa, you started off a topic asking which heritage railway is cheapest per mile, then a topic asking which heritage railway is most punctual, and now which heritage railway membership offers the most perks.

Are you compiling a “Which” guide to heritage railways?

Why not ? I'm planning a tour of heritage railways.

All information is useful, not just to me but to others.

I could be on to something

 

[STINT47]

Peak Rail gives you one free days travel (used to be two) and then a 25% discount (used to be 50%), not valid at special events. They used to produce a members magazine but no longer offer this.

 

[Titfield]

Swanage Railway's Premier Life Membership (no longer available) and Life Time Travel Membership was similar to the Bluebell Railways unlimited free travel on all scheduled services (except dining trains, Santa Specials, polar express, dining trains) but apparently they are seeking to change the Ts and cs so it doesnt include gala days and travel on guest engines. (Source July 2024 News Update).

 

[Gwr12345]

Weardale railway offers 50% off normal fares and a quarterly magazine.
Ffestiniog offers 10 free 3rd class tickets for annual membership and free first and 3rd travel for life members and a magazine.
Same applies for the Welsh Highland Society, with a discount on the Ffestiniog's services and vice versa as well as a discount on the Tallylyn

 

[30907]

The HRA pass entitles you and a companion to free (or in a few cases discounted) travel on over 100 preserved railways, for only £42 a year. Incredible value, you can probably recoup that in just one visit to one of the more expensive lines. You have to be a volunteer or staff on one of the HRA member lines to qualify.

https://www.hra.uk.com/hra-privilege-2024

Worth mentioning that you can get an HRA Friend card for 2 people for £180 if you are not a working volunteer.

Reciprocal travel facilities generally are only for working members or equivalent, sometimes extended to NR staff - but that's not reciprocated, understandably

 

[tram21]

Crich (Tramway Museum Society) membership has rather hidden benefits, however as far as I know (others feel free to add/ correct):

-Free Access & Unlimited tram rides whenever the museum is open to the public.
-25% off retail & catering at the museum.
-Free access to Sandtoft Trolleybus museum, and Heaton Park tramway.

 

[xotGD]

One to add for KWVR members: Free shed tours at Haworth. They cost £5 otherwise.

 

[bluegoblin7]

Crich (Tramway Museum Society) membership has rather hidden benefits, however as far as I know (others feel free to add/ correct):

-Free Access & Unlimited tram rides whenever the museum is open to the public.
-25% off retail & catering at the museum.
-Free access to Sandtoft Trolleybus museum, and Heaton Park tramway.

Indeed, sadly since deciding to move to a dedicated website (against the trend of most other organisations amalgamating the two, but then that sums up the continued decline of the place) it's become harder and harder to see what you get as a member.

'Unlimited tram rides' isn't particularly a perk as an annual pass gets you the same at a cheaper price. A membership to one of the other tramway organisations in the UK will get you the same for even less...!

The retail discount is extremely limited and generally only available on 'own brand' merchandise.

Free reciprocal entry extends to most of the UK's other tramway museums, as well as most large museums across the globe, although by its own admission even the Society isn't aware of the full list they've negotiated with over the years.

Membership also provides you with the Society's Journal, which aims to publish 3-4 editions per year. Imo (although I am biased) this is the only perk worth baulking for a membership rather than using one of the other avenues to visit.

My Life Membership was excellent value at 18 and ~15 years later I'm nearly quids in, that's all I'll say.

 

[DarloRich]

As stated in my title, I'm intetested in heritage railways membership perks, such as

Discounted 3-4 year membership being cheaper instead of 1 year only.

How many free train rides you can get per year and does this only cover normal running days or includes special events.

How much discount for booking tickets.

Discounted food, beverages, alcoholic drinks and gift shops.

Local attractions discount or freebies.

Reciprocal arrangement with other heritage or mainline rail lines.

Preferential bookings for special events.

Discount on dining car experiences.

Free parking.

It would be interesting to see which heritage lines offer good value.

It would be interesting to compare notes

Are you a member of any preserved lines? Could you share the benefits you get from them?

You ask for the opinions of others ona topic but offer nothing of your own

 

[Richard Scott]

As stated in my title, I'm intetested in heritage railways membership perks, such as

Discounted 3-4 year membership being cheaper instead of 1 year only.

How many free train rides you can get per year and does this only cover normal running days or includes special events.

How much discount for booking tickets.

Discounted food, beverages, alcoholic drinks and gift shops.

Local attractions discount or freebies.

Reciprocal arrangement with other heritage or mainline rail lines.

Preferential bookings for special events.

Discount on dining car experiences.

Free parking.

It would be interesting to see which heritage lines offer good value.

It would be interesting to compare notes

I think, to be honest, most people are members to help support the line and benefits are just an add on.
I've never been bothered about the benefits just the satisfaction of supporting the line in a small way.

 

[Vespa]

Are you a member of any preserved lines? Could you share the benefits you get from them?

You ask for the opinions of others ona topic but offer nothing of your own

I'm a member of East Lancashire Railway, tookout a 3 year membership as it saves money over annual membership.

I've only just joined and I'm curious how it compares with other heritage lines.

ELR allow you 3 free trips a year, discount on train dining experiences, discount on regular train tickets, special events and galas, just discovered I get a discount on beers at the Trackside.

I'm still learning more about it.

I'm still learning more about it and I've applied to be a working member.

I thought I would create a thread to bring together all heritage lines in one place.

What about you DarloRich, are you a member of any heritage line ?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

How much do these memberships typically cost? East Lancs is, I believe, currently £28 per year or £75 for three years, so a modest saving for the latter. Llangollen Railway is £30 per year. Are memberships at other heritage lines broadly similar, or significantly different?

 

[DarloRich]

What about you DarloRich, are you a member of any heritage line ?

Not anymore a sadly. I do donate to several by standing order.

However NYMR gives you an unlimited yearly ticket if you buy a standard ticket.

 

[Vespa]

How much do these memberships typically cost? East Lancs is, I believe, currently £28 per year or £75 for three years, so a modest saving for the latter. Llangollen Railway is £30 per year. Are memberships at other heritage lines broadly similar, or significantly different?

That I would like to know as well.

Any savings over annual membership with multi year membership 2-3-4-5 for example and savings over annual memberships.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2024 ==

Are the perks more generous the bigger the heritage line is or is it smaller lines ?

 

[nanstallon]

Back in 1984, the West Somerset Rly seemed to be on the edge, and appealed to members to buy some shares. So I bought £50 worth, and later increased my holding to £200. I still get two free days travel each year; don't always get to use them but seems pretty good value, although I could be in for a long wait for my first cash dividend!

 

[Titfield]

Back in 1984, the West Somerset Rly seemed to be on the edge, and appealed to members to buy some shares. So I bought £50 worth, and later increased my holding to £200. I still get two free days travel each year; don't always get to use them but seems pretty good value, although I could be in for a long wait for my first cash dividend!

Back in the late 80s / early 90s Swanage Railway was in a very precarious financial situation and launched the Premier Life Membership of the Swanage Railway Trust offering free travel on scheduled services for life. IIC the cost was £250. The funds raised staved off disaster which was looming.

 

[D1537]

The only really useful part of the NYMR membership was the 50% off travel, but given membership is £40 and you can buy a year's travel pass for £50 (which isn't discounted for members), it has become slightly pointless.

 

[NER1621]

This discussion does all rather presume that the reason for joining a heritage railway is to get “perks”.

 

[Titfield]

This discussion does all rather presume that the reason for joining a heritage railway is to get “perks”.

I think having perks widened the market for membership who thus became supporters and could be targeted when fund raising or possibly to volunteer.

I see involvement with an HR as a sort of inverted pyramid with each layer having benefits (both ways).

 

[Flange Squeal]

The Watercress Line, aka Mid-Hants Railway, runs for around 10 miles between Alton and Alresford. Membership costs £35 for one year or £140 for five years, so five years for the price of four. In terms of personal benefits this gets you three magazines a year, attendance to the members/shareholders weekend in September, and half price travel on normal days only (nothing off towards galas, dining trains, real ale train, Thomas etc). So if you have a personal interest in wanting to financially support the line an/or have a vote in certain matters by attending the annual general meeting then it's probably for you, but if someone just wants some perks then it's probably not particularly tempting.

 

[12LDA28C]

This discussion does all rather presume that the reason for joining a heritage railway is to get “perks”.

Indeed, rather a strange attitude. Surely it should be more a case of joining a heritage railway to volunteer your time and contribute to the success of the railway. If there are any 'perks' then they are a nice bonus but shouldn't be a reason for joining in the first place.

 

[Jan Mayen]

Indeed, rather a strange attitude. Surely it should be more a case of joining a heritage railway to volunteer your time and contribute to the success of the railway. If there are any 'perks' then they are a nice bonus but shouldn't be a reason for joining in the first place.

I joined a heritage railway as a life member (getting free travel) when I realised how much I was paying in terms of buying a ticket for each visit.
So they get less ticket revenue, but as I now go more often, see an increase in spending in the gift shop, bars, cafe etc.

 

[xotGD]

Indeed, rather a strange attitude. Surely it should be more a case of joining a heritage railway to volunteer your time and contribute to the success of the railway. If there are any 'perks' then they are a nice bonus but shouldn't be a reason for joining in the first place.

There's a difference between being a member and being a working member, aka volunteer. The benefits for the latter are greater than for the former at the KWVR.

I generally prefer to buy things rather than make donations, be that from a heritage railway or a charity I support. With membership I am buying the benefits, and the railway gets a chunk of cash at the beginning of the year rather than when I happen to go along. Also, psychologically, when there using a 'free' day, I think we are more inclined to buy a bit more from the buffet or shop, since that is the only cost while visiting.

Also, I am more inclined to make extra visits with members discounted fares than if it was full fare every time, so I think the railway gets more from me as a member than if I were not. Win-win.

 

[Barclay]

Indeed, rather a strange attitude. Surely it should be more a case of joining a heritage railway to volunteer your time and contribute to the success of the railway. If there are any 'perks' then they are a nice bonus but shouldn't be a reason for joining in the first place.

I'm not sure about that - I'm a member of the National Trust because it gets me and the family unlimited access to National Trust sites. Of course I support the objectives of the National Trust too, but that's a secondary reason for joining.

Likewise I'm a (family) member of a couple of local railways for the specific reason that we get a discount on travel on normal operating days and have an affordable day out. Without the discount we wouldn't visit as regularly.