Heritage railways: patronage trends 2025

[railfan99]

England has the best offering of heritage railways worldwide in my view, although France and Germany do well. We can't omit Poland where last year I travelled on a steam loco in regular weekday service (amazing for 2024).

Your summer is half over, although the famous traditional August Bank Holiday period when visitor numbers to many attractions increase is yet to come. Ditto for what on some heritage railways are the all-important pre-Christmas Santa trains.

What 2025 patronage trends, if any, is a heritage railway in the UK with which you're familiar experiencing?

Are numbers up on 2024, and how might they compare to pre-Covid 2019?

Is the mix of families v couples v single travellers v group travel changing?

What's been the reaction of prospective passengers to any price rises for Day Rover or other tickets?

How have special events such as Steam or Diesel Galas, 1940s/1960s re-creations - increasingly a revenue mainstay from what I've read and from whom I've chatted to on visits - been going?

Many are acutely aware costs have risen markedly in the last six years: electricity (and gas?), coal for steam locos and more recently National Insurance costs for staff IIRC. I assume general insurance costs (including for buildings and public liability) have substantially risen.

Are your heritage railway's finances stabilising, improving, or (continuing to be) under pressure?

What about volunteer numbers that apparently post-Covid declined on many preserved railways?

 

[Gooner18]

Trends i am not so sure about , I can only imagine numbers going down as generation shifts change ( people who grow up with steam slowly decreasing in numbers) so they may have to rely on fewer numbers over the year forcing them to maximise events to keep income up.
I would also imagine with retirement age constantly being increased for non boomers this will have a knock affect for availability of volunteers in the years to come.

The bluebell railway has been spanked losing half a million last year and is on course to lose the same again this year of course that is most likely down to infrastructure projects etc.
On the flip side the watercress line seems to be doing very well financially

 

[The exile]

Your summer is half over, although the famous traditional August Bank Holiday period when visitor numbers to many attractions increase is yet to come. Ditto for what on some heritage railways are the all-important pre-Christmas Santa trains.

In practical terms the summer season has only just begun! Up to now, with the exception of half term week, family activities have been confined to weekends. I’m aware that things are different north of the border.

 

[DarloRich]

any response will be entirely anecdotal.

 

[martin butler]

It's still too early yet to determine trends, I would say, wait until the end of the year before you can say if it's been good, or bad,
Overheads are what denotes if you have done well, or not, Services are very different post Covid, and many railways are running fewer trains,
the cost of everything is still increasing, and that will have an impact on how well the preserved railways do.

 

[xotGD]

The KWVR will be benefiting from Bradford "City of Culture" this year, including the production of "The Railway Children" being held at Oxenhope. They are also operating more "eat on the train" offerings this year.

 

[158760]

England has the best offering of heritage railways worldwide in my view, although France and Germany do well. We can't omit Poland where last year I travelled on a steam loco in regular weekday service (amazing for 2024).

Your summer is half over, although the famous traditional August Bank Holiday period when visitor numbers to many attractions increase is yet to come. Ditto for what on some heritage railways are the all-important pre-Christmas Santa trains.

What 2025 patronage trends, if any, is a heritage railway in the UK with which you're familiar experiencing?

Are numbers up on 2024, and how might they compare to pre-Covid 2019?

Is the mix of families v couples v single travellers v group travel changing?

What's been the reaction of prospective passengers to any price rises for Day Rover or other tickets?

How have special events such as Steam or Diesel Galas, 1940s/1960s re-creations - increasingly a revenue mainstay from what I've read and from whom I've chatted to on visits - been going?

Many are acutely aware costs have risen markedly in the last six years: electricity (and gas?), coal for steam locos and more recently National Insurance costs for staff IIRC. I assume insurance costs have substantially risen.

Are your heritage railway's finances stabilising, improving, or (continuing to be) under pressure?

What about volunteer numbers that apparently post-Covid declined on many preserved railways?

It is too early for passenger trends to be measured, however I can make a guess at what I think is likely for my two heritage railways.

The Bluebell saw a massive spike in visitors in 2023 for the Flying Scotsman, which then dramatically decreased in 2024, with the loss doubling from £300k to £600k. The railway is on track to lose the same again in 2025. This was far more than expected, and although steps are being taken to mitigate the losses (with the PLC being expected to sell an engine to the Trust) this is not a long term solution, and there needs to be something done quickly to prevent this, as although the PLC does have around £22 million in assets, it is approaching the overdraft limit on the bank. Times sadly are very tough.

I will predict that passenger numbers will be higher this year, with the Bluebell 65 Gala, Diesel Gala and Giants of Steam all shaping up to be really really good galas. Volunteer numbers is sadly a different story. Volunteer numbers have been dramatically decreasing, to the extent that Horsted Keynes and Kingscote have had to close mid week in non holidays. This is a serious problem that needs addressing, and quickly.

The post covid trend is a shift from afternoon to early morning trips, and unfortunately we are still struggling to adapt to that, with the last train on most days still arriving empty back at the Park around 5:10pm. Hopefully this will change next year.


Swanage is a very different story. The railway lost its dining train in an arson attack in early 2023, and did not have the finances to repair the coaches. This loss of income proved to be huge, as the railway launched an emergency appeal at the end of 2023 (Save Your Railway) for £450,000. In 2024, the ever popular Diesel Gala and Strictly Bulleid 2 (despite the well publicised setbacks) allowed the railway to break even, something that was not predicted. This year is too early to call yet. Much of Swanage’s traffic comes from holidaymakers using the steam train to get to the seaside and back, so the busy season is only just starting. The Spring Steam Gala, Diesel Gala and Autumn Steam Gala are all looking to be good money earners though. As for passengers, I would likely say it’s a decrease on 2024, with Strictly Bulleid 2 carrying 4000 passengers alone. It does not seem likely that those numbers can be reached again, although the additional gala this year in Autumn may help.

Harmans Cross is unstaffed most times I stop there. It’s also common for the other three stations to sometimes only have one porter. But everywhere has a volunteer shortage, people are struggling to afford to volunteer now and have the time to.

2026 will be an interesting year for Swanage. I’m excited to see how it pans out, and how busy it is.


Overall, costs everywhere have risen, so passengers do expect a rise in ticket prices. They are (mostly) in line with inflation, and are reasonable on both railways I volunteer at. I have never heard anyone complaining about ticket prices - most people tend to accept what it is until the train gets full and standing. Then they (understandably) complain .

 

[A S Leib]

I have never heard anyone complaining about ticket prices

The only exceptions I can think of are the NYMR if wanting to visit all of the stations and not expecting to be in the area enough to justify the cost of the annual pass, the Snowdon Mountain Railway (which I'd guess has particularly high maintenance costs) and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, especially compared to the cost of becoming a member.

 

[AlterEgo]

Your summer is half over

No it isn't.

The summer holidays begin next week in some places in England and in other areas they began this week.

 

[Gooner18]

It is too early for passenger trends to be measured, however I can make a guess at what I think is likely for my two heritage railways.

The Bluebell saw a massive spike in visitors in 2023 for the Flying Scotsman, which then dramatically decreased in 2024, with the loss doubling from £300k to £600k. The railway is on track to lose the same again in 2025. This was far more than expected, and although steps are being taken to mitigate the losses (with the PLC being expected to sell an engine to the Trust) this is not a long term solution, and there needs to be something done quickly to prevent this, as although the PLC does have around £22 million in assets, it is approaching the overdraft limit on the bank. Times sadly are very tough.

I will predict that passenger numbers will be higher this year, with the Bluebell 65 Gala, Diesel Gala and Giants of Steam all shaping up to be really really good galas. Volunteer numbers is sadly a different story. Volunteer numbers have been dramatically decreasing, to the extent that Horsted Keynes and Kingscote have had to close mid week in non holidays. This is a serious problem that needs addressing, and quickly.

The post covid trend is a shift from afternoon to early morning trips, and unfortunately we are still struggling to adapt to that, with the last train on most days still arriving empty back at the Park around 5:10pm. Hopefully this will change next year.


Swanage is a very different story. The railway lost its dining train in an arson attack in early 2023, and did not have the finances to repair the coaches. This loss of income proved to be huge, as the railway launched an emergency appeal at the end of 2023 (Save Your Railway) for £450,000. In 2024, the ever popular Diesel Gala and Strictly Bulleid 2 (despite the well publicised setbacks) allowed the railway to break even, something that was not predicted. This year is too early to call yet. Much of Swanage’s traffic comes from holidaymakers using the steam train to get to the seaside and back, so the busy season is only just starting. The Spring Steam Gala, Diesel Gala and Autumn Steam Gala are all looking to be good money earners though. As for passengers, I would likely say it’s a decrease on 2024, with Strictly Bulleid 2 carrying 4000 passengers alone. It does not seem likely that those numbers can be reached again, although the additional gala this year in Autumn may help.

Harmans Cross is unstaffed most times I stop there. It’s also common for the other three stations to sometimes only have one porter. But everywhere has a volunteer shortage, people are struggling to afford to volunteer now and have the time to.

2026 will be an interesting year for Swanage. I’m excited to see how it pans out, and how busy it is.


Overall, costs everywhere have risen, so passengers do expect a rise in ticket prices. They are (mostly) in line with inflation, and are reasonable on both railways I volunteer at. I have never heard anyone complaining about ticket prices - most people tend to accept what it is until the train gets full and standing. Then they (understandably) complain .

I personally don’t think the bluebell make full use of their main line link , for example the train times don’t tie in with some events I.e train shed visits the timings mean that if you catch the first train leaving Grinstead you miss the first 20 minutes and if you book the later train she’d visit you miss the last train back to Grinstead.

 

[UP13]

Volunteer numbers is sadly a different story. Volunteer numbers have been dramatically decreasing, to the extent that Horsted Keynes and Kingscote have had to close mid week in non holidays. This is a serious problem that needs addressing, and quickly.

Do you happen to know what area in particular they need volunteers for?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Jul 2025 ==

The only exceptions I can think of are the NYMR if wanting to visit all of the stations and not expecting to be in the area enough to justify the cost of the annual pass, the Snowdon Mountain Railway (which I'd guess has particularly high maintenance costs) and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, especially compared to the cost of becoming a member.

I'm just about to go on a family holiday to north Wales, and the FR/WHR and SMR are the only railways where I've genuinely been a bit hesitant with the prices.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

The only exceptions I can think of are the NYMR if wanting to visit all of the stations and not expecting to be in the area enough to justify the cost of the annual pass, the Snowdon Mountain Railway (which I'd guess has particularly high maintenance costs) and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, especially compared to the cost of becoming a member.

I wouldn't consider the Snowdon Mountain Railway as a heritage railway, it's main role is transportation.

 

[158760]

Do you happen to know what area in particular they need volunteers for?

Almost everywhere, but Horsted Keynes is at critical levels for porters, with Kingscote and East Grinstead not far behind.

I personally don’t think the bluebell make full use of their main line link , for example the train times don’t tie in with some events I.e train shed visits the timings mean that if you catch the first train leaving Grinstead you miss the first 20 minutes and if you book the later train she’d visit you miss the last train back to Grinstead.

Not enough people use the main line link for it to be viable to tie in services around. The Yard Tours are new this year, so if you do want to feed that back to the railway it may be possible for some changes for next year.

You can make it work though. The Yard Tour on the 6th September is during the Diesel Gala, with a busy timetable in operation and there is also a tour two weeks later on the 20th September during the Beer Festival, with 10 round trips to East Grinstead.

 

[chrisp37]

I hadn't realised it was an arson attack responsible for Swanage Railway's disposal of its dining car. I had thought it was just run down and they didn't have the funds to restore it. Was it this incident?

Either way it's a crying shame as I've had a couple of excellent dining experiences on the Swanage Railway in the past (curry and Christmas lunch) and would have definitely done more were they still offered.

Anecdotally, the East Lancs railway was very busy indeed when I went on Good Friday this year. The Peter Rabbit event probably helped in that regard. It was so busy that people were standing in the aisles (although there may have been free sets if they'd walked down the train to another carriage). The Llangollen Railway's Classic Transport Weekend (we went on 5 July this year) was also popular. We had a trip on the Vale of Rheidol on Sunday 29 June and we were two of only four people sitting in first class, but standard class was quite busy. I guess it wasn't yet their peak season.

 

[158760]

I hadn't realised it was an arson attack responsible for Swanage Railway's disposal of its dining car. I had thought it was just run down and they didn't have the funds to restore it. Was it this incident?

Either way it's a crying shame as I've had a couple of excellent dining experiences on the Swanage Railway in the past (curry and Christmas lunch) and would have definitely done more were they still offered.

It was indeed. The set was stored over the winter in Harmans Cross Sidings and at the end of February 2023 was broken into. It’s why the new carriage shed is fully covered with CCTV.

It is a shame, but the current offering of Champagne Cream Teas looks to be very popular on the trains I’ve been on. Logically it’s a lot easier to set up and cheaper to run, with 2 coaches of a normal service being used for it rather than running a whole new train.

 

[Trainlog]

The Bluebell decline isn't entirely surprising. Many enthusiasts like myself, whilst still respecting the legacy the line has done for preservation, are a bit disappointed with the decisions that have been made since about 2017. Steamworks has more or less ruined the shed at Sheffield Park. I loved just being able to wander round the shed with the locos left 'as is'. Now, there are a lot of screen interactive exhibits taking up space in the shed, with some locos left to rust at Horsted Keynes.

I last visited the line in 2019, and the line is getting expensive to visit also aswell in comparison to other lines of a similar length. It also doesn't help that locos are taking a while to come out of overhaul. However, this criticism is a bit harsh from me as the locos rely on volunteer and donations in order to make it happen.

The only thing that is a draw factor for me to that line anymore is the affordable footplate rides they have done recently, and potentially a chance to see Beachy head up and running.

Yes this is playing armchair manager, but these are some ideas that wouldn't be a bad idea for the line to try.

1. Actually come to realistic conclusions on locos and offer other railways the opportunity to purchase and restore some of their locos. That Barry scrapyard 4mt tank would be a welcome addition at any other line, if an opportunity to do so was made available.
2. Become an 'export railway' like Didcot. Basically, restore some locos with opportunities for long-term hire and look at the soft power element it can bring to the Bluebells reputation. The Adams radial on hire to the East Kent even for a month will do wonders to both lines reputations, and I am sure most Southern and Southwestern enthusiasts are eager to see it run on the Swanage railway. Not hiring out the H class during its last ticket was a massive missed opportunity, even for gala events.
3. The line comes across these days as a bit 'too safe' with concepts and ideas. 10 years ago there were some fun concepts such as running railtours to the Mid-hants and one to Uckfield (long way round). These events don't have to become a monthly thing but even some every couple of years will help make the line come across as more interesting and be a good advert for the line.
4. Make more appeals to its pre-grouping rolling stock and remind enthusiasts of the value of this type of rolling stock. Not many lines offer so many coaches from this era and the public find them very interesting. As even heritage railways aren't safe from people playing music from their phones, it seems like a good investment from an enthusiast's point of view.

I will give the Bluebell credit, there are more positive developments coming through from that line these days, I do like that the Dukedog is being displayed in Aberystwth and they have started to sell some locos on. However, for the reasons above, there is still some way to go for the Bluebell, unfortunately.

 

[thejuggler]

The KWVR will be benefiting from Bradford "City of Culture" this year, including the production of "The Railway Children" being held at Oxenhope. They are also operating more "eat on the train" offerings this year.

I also heard very healthy ticket sales meant the recent diesel gala was in profit before the first service had left the platform. We have tickets for the Railway Children and looking forwards to it.

 

[xotGD]

I also heard very healthy ticket sales meant the recent diesel gala was in profit before the first service had left the platform. We have tickets for the Railway Children and looking forwards to it.

I think the variety of guest locos appealed to multiple groups of enthusiasts, which helps to swell the numbers. I guess there is always a trade off between the cost of bringing in an additional guest loco and the extra ticket sales that will result.

 

[The exile]

Si

I wouldn't consider the Snowdon Mountain Railway as a heritage railway, its main role is transportation.

Since you get transported up there and have to come back down again (or walk) 30 minutes later - it’s a glorified ride. Well worth it on the steamer, though.

 

[UP13]

Steamworks has more or less ruined the shed at Sheffield Park. I loved just being able to wander round the shed with the locos left 'as is'. Now, there are a lot of screen interactive exhibits taking up space in the shed, with some locos left to rust at Horsted Keynes.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say I love Steamworks. It is one of the main reasons my kids ask to go there.

I was recently toying with joining either the Watercress or the Bluebell on a family membership, and I actually decided on the Bluebell in the end. The Steamworks actually played a big part in that as my kids seem more engaged at Sheffield Park than they do at Ropley (don't get me wrong, they still love Ropley). Also the fact that members get a discount for galas as well as the kids travelling for a quid in the summer played a big part.

 

[Iskra]

Loading seem pretty healthy at all the railways I’ve visited this year

 

[158760]

The Bluebell decline isn't entirely surprising. Many enthusiasts like myself, whilst still respecting the legacy the line has done for preservation, are a bit disappointed with the decisions that have been made since about 2017. Steamworks has more or less ruined the shed at Sheffield Park. I loved just being able to wander round the shed with the locos left 'as is'. Now, there are a lot of screen interactive exhibits taking up space in the shed, with some locos left to rust at Horsted Keynes.

I last visited the line in 2019, and the line is getting expensive to visit also aswell in comparison to other lines of a similar length. It also doesn't help that locos are taking a while to come out of overhaul. However, this criticism is a bit harsh from me as the locos rely on volunteer and donations in order to make it happen.

The only thing that is a draw factor for me to that line anymore is the affordable footplate rides they have done recently, and potentially a chance to see Beachy head up and running.

Yes this is playing armchair manager, but these are some ideas that wouldn't be a bad idea for the line to try.

1. Actually come to realistic conclusions on locos and offer other railways the opportunity to purchase and restore some of their locos. That Barry scrapyard 4mt tank would be a welcome addition at any other line, if an opportunity to do so was made available.
2. Become an 'export railway' like Didcot. Basically, restore some locos with opportunities for long-term hire and look at the soft power element it can bring to the Bluebells reputation. The Adams radial on hire to the East Kent even for a month will do wonders to both lines reputations, and I am sure most Southern and Southwestern enthusiasts are eager to see it run on the Swanage railway. Not hiring out the H class during its last ticket was a massive missed opportunity, even for gala events.
3. The line comes across these days as a bit 'too safe' with concepts and ideas. 10 years ago there were some fun concepts such as running railtours to the Mid-hants and one to Uckfield (long way round). These events don't have to become a monthly thing but even some every couple of years will help make the line come across as more interesting and be a good advert for the line.
4. Make more appeals to its pre-grouping rolling stock and remind enthusiasts of the value of this type of rolling stock. Not many lines offer so many coaches from this era and the public find them very interesting. As even heritage railways aren't safe from people playing music from their phones, it seems like a good investment from an enthusiast's point of view.

I will give the Bluebell credit, there are more positive developments coming through from that line these days, I do like that the Dukedog is being displayed in Aberystwth and they have started to sell some locos on. However, for the reasons above, there is still some way to go for the Bluebell, unfortunately.

I think you are focusing on one perspective and what you personally would like to see, rather than an overall view and the best solution for everybody.

Most enthusiasts I have encountered in Steamworks have spoken very positively about it, and particularly enjoying being able to step onto the footplate of multiple engines. Steamworks turned a dark, inaccessible shed into a well lit accessible space for all. Enthusiasts are not the main customer market at preserved railways - families are, and the railway needed to adapt to this. As such, the exhibits are aimed at young children (and sometimes not so young children!) so they can gain a basic understanding of the railways. There is an also a basic Stepney driving simulator, and although I wish the whistle wasn’t so loud (it does wind everyone up!) it is very popular.

Steamworks takes up the northern half of the shed, with the southern half still being the old ‘running shed’ and you can look out into the yard. There are often engines undercover in the running shed half, which you can still wander round as it was pre 2018. The Steamworks half also allows you cab access on three engines (currently Stepney, Baxter and the C), with the footplate of the C being accessible for wheelchairs. You can also look at most of the locos in the northern half from ground level, perhaps with the exception of Stepney.

I wouldn’t say the line is getting too expensive - you have to remember the price of your ticket includes other things around the railway. An adult rover is £27, which I think is a fair price for the length of line and entry to other things such as the shed, museum and C&W.

The loco works at the railway is too small to be overhauling engines solely to loan out, with a lot of projects already being outsourced to people like Leaky Finders, the SVR and the 4253 Loco Group.

On the rolling stock front, The Southern Railway Coach Group has been formed to remove the reliance on Mk1 Stock and increase our operational fleet of vintage coaches. In May, Maunsell Restriction 0 Brake 3687 entered service, allowing the railway to have a set of 4 Maunsell coaches operational simultaneously. However, carriage restoration does not happen overnight, so it will take time to build up a large operational fleet of pre-BR coaches.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say I love Steamworks. It is one of the main reasons my kids ask to go there.

I was recently toying with joining either the Watercress or the Bluebell on a family membership, and I actually decided on the Bluebell in the end. The Steamworks actually played a big part in that as my kids seem more engaged at Sheffield Park than they do at Ropley (don't get me wrong, they still love Ropley). Also the fact that members get a discount for galas as well as the kids travelling for a quid in the summer played a big part.

This was the main idea behind Steamworks - to turn a dark, dingy shed into a welcoming environment for everyone. It is a really great place for families to go and spend a bit of time, and gives an educational experience whilst still remaining focused around railways.

 

[Titfield]

It was indeed. The set was stored over the winter in Harmans Cross Sidings and at the end of February 2023 was broken into. It’s why the new carriage shed is fully covered with CCTV.

It is a shame, but the current offering of Champagne Cream Teas looks to be very popular on the trains I’ve been on. Logically it’s a lot easier to set up and cheaper to run, with 2 coaches of a normal service being used for it rather than running a whole new train.

The Wessex Belle Dining Set was long overdue an overhaul which was likely to cost many (tens of) thousands of pounds. The costs of running the dining train had risen considerably as more and more of the on train staff were paid, as volunteers prepared to undertake this role had diminished in numbers considerably. The above referenced Cream Teas require far lower staff levels which pushes the break even point down.

The peak summer service is planned to be one steam service and one diesel service this year unlike previous years when it had been a two steam service.

This years Christmas offering is going to be a Father Christmas Yuletide Express a revised version of the former Santa Special rather than the Polar Express which has operated for the past two years.

The operating calendar has been thinned out with the public service on Mondays and Fridays in the low season not operating. In many cases replaced by driver experiences.

More special events are being operated but it remains to be seen if the additional revenues generated exceed the additional costs incurred.

 

[railfan99]

No it isn't.

The summer holidays begin next week in some places in England and in other areas they began this week.

Yes, sorry. I was looking at the calendar: June to August, not how busy for tourism particular weeks would be.

 

[Belperpete]

Many lines are running special events in conjunction with Railway 200. The Ffestiniog's earlier this year seemed very well attended. However, I suspect that the number of events being run by all the preserved lines over the summer might mean that many enthusiasts will have to ration how many they attend.

The other problem with events is that they can suck custom away from normal operations. Enthusiasts will visit that weekend rather than other weekends. I travelled on the Llangollen on a weekend when half the line was given over to a "Bluey" event for children, and I thought the ordinary service trains running on the other half of the line very quiet. It was perhaps not the best weekend for such an event, as the Llangollen Garden Railway Festival was on at the same time, which surely would have attracted numbers of enthusiasts like me who would want to travel the whole length of the line.

 

[Falcon1200]

I wouldn't consider the Snowdon Mountain Railway as a heritage railway, it's main role is transportation.

Indeed, and the fares have always been IMHO more than one would expect to pay on a heritage line; My Dad was hesitant about taking us on the SMR, due to the cost.... in 1973! However the trains then, and on my repeat visit with my own children in 2008, were busy.
The SMR is a unique operation with its rack and mountain setting, 1-coach trains, and does it have volunteers or run entirely with paid staff?

As to this year, I have mainly so far been to Gala days only; Steam at Keighley was busy, Diesel at the Severn Valley extremely busy, Diesel at Boness, Chinnor and the Ecclesbourne Valley fairly quiet. The re-unification Gala at the Great Central Railway(s) was incredibly busy!

 

[Belperpete]

As to this year, I have mainly so far been to Gala days only; Steam at Keighley was busy, Diesel at the Severn Valley extremely busy, Diesel at Boness, Chinnor and the Ecclesbourne Valley fairly quiet. The re-unification Gala at the Great Central Railway(s) was incredibly busy!

I went to the reunification gala on the Sunday, and thought it quite quiet for a gala. It shows how individual perceptions can vary.

 

[Falcon1200]

I went to the reunification gala on the Sunday, and thought it quite quiet for a gala.

I was there on the Saturday and had to wait a while at Quorn for the bus to Ruddington! There were no spare seats on the train at the latter either.

 

[43055]

Indeed, and the fares have always been IMHO more than one would expect to pay on a heritage line; My Dad was hesitant about taking us on the SMR, due to the cost.... in 1973! However the trains then, and on my repeat visit with my own children in 2008, were busy.
The SMR is a unique operation with its rack and mountain setting, 1-coach trains, and does it have volunteers or run entirely with paid staff?

As to this year, I have mainly so far been to Gala days only; Steam at Keighley was busy, Diesel at the Severn Valley extremely busy, Diesel at Boness, Chinnor and the Ecclesbourne Valley fairly quiet. The re-unification Gala at the Great Central Railway(s) was incredibly busy!

Were you at the EVR last Friday? If so it was a bit quiet compared to other diesel gala days. Despite the weather Saturday had better loadings.

 

[Belperpete]

I was there on the Saturday and had to wait a while at Quorn for the bus to Ruddington! There were no spare seats on the train at the latter either.

With only a very limited number of trains at Ruddington and them being the first steam trains for a very long time, it is perhaps not surprising that these were busy, and likewise those buses that directly connected with them. The return bus after the Ruddington train left early as it was full, however I doubt there was more than half a dozen people on the next bus. And the site itself seemed quite quiet, not many people about, with no queues to get into any of the attractions. I got the impression that people arrived by bus for the train trip, and then promptly caught the next bus back after getting off the train.

My feeling that the gala was quite quiet was based more on the number of people on the GCR(S), which seemed very quiet compared to some galas I have been to previous years.