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Impact of steam bans on heritage railway visitor numbers

SECR 65

SECR 65

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What are people's experiences of visitor numbers to heritage railways during diesel-only services, and how these compare to steam services?

I was chatting to the Guard at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway yesterday (who was very friendly, if you're reading) and he was saying that on a steam day they would normally get 100 visitors, but with the steam ban they would be lucky to get 50.

At another railway, I've heard staffing numbers are being reduced due to lack of visitors.

I know of visitors turning away at the car park when they hear it's no steam.

If anyone has any statistics, these would be great, but also stories, experiences, observations etc.
 
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HertiageFan

HertiageFan

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I have a long term impact after reading recent reviews from heritage railways. Often when people visit a railway and there’s no steam service, they write a bad review online, other travellers see it and consider: if these reviews say it was diesel, then is it more likely to be steam or diesel? If there is a consistent amount of reviews saying that it’s diesel, then people will not visit because they think it will be diesel hauled, resulting in lost clients.
 
DarloRich

DarloRich

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I was on the NYMR on Saturday. 1200 train from Pickering to Whitby & 1710 return. Train was less busy than I expected but still well loaded. NYMR had been really clear on their socials and website that there was no steam (other than Omaha which wasn't in service on the day we were there) and I suspect that turned a few away. There was still one carriage booked out each way for a bus tour party and the buffet did a steady trade all journey.

Queue for the 1710 was right round onto the other platform at Whitby so still plenty travelling.

Anyway - who doesn't like an improtu Diesel gala? I think 2 x 31 & 2 x 37 in use.
 
A

A S Leib

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From busiest to least busy, it's been the Bure Valley (half price for Norfolk Day), Churnet Valley, Llangollen, Bala, and Battlefield Line of the Great Britain ones I've been on in the last month, with the first three four all steam and I think the Battlefield Line just having one diesel service then. The problem is that I can't remember if that was before they suspended steam services (or if they have yet done so), and that, even during school summer holidays, I doubt services past noon on a weekday would have been massively busy to begin with (though, I'd imagine, at least normally breaking even financially).
 
30907

30907

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KWVR announced the ban on Friday after a fire on Thursday which required the fire service and HMG's message. Publicity on SM/website and SM.
Saturday I had a couple of groups grumble, Monday one group decided to come back another day when they heard. Sunday I was at my "proper" work :)
My impression is that both days were a bit quiet, but Monday was rainy anyway.

(After that rain, 75078 is booked today - big loco, short train, so still precautions.)
 
PP57601

PP57601

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SECR 65 said:
What are people's experiences of visitor numbers to heritage railways during diesel-only services, and how these compare to steam services?

I was chatting to the Guard at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway yesterday (who was very friendly, if you're reading) and he was saying that on a steam day they would normally get 100 visitors, but with the steam ban they would be lucky to get 50.

At another railway, I've heard staffing numbers are being reduced due to lack of visitors.

I know of visitors turning away at the car park when they hear it's no steam.

If anyone has any statistics, these would be great, but also stories, experiences, observations etc.
Click to expand...
Is the number of visitors directly related to ‘a steam ban’, or perhaps less people are visiting because of the extreme heat outside ?

Of course, the use of diesels may also attracts different amount of visitors who perhaps wouldn’t otherwise have visited.

Personally, I’ve made two visits to the Paignton & Dartmouth and two to the Glos & Warwicks that I wouldn’t have made if regular steam was in operation.
 
SECR 65

SECR 65

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PP57601 said:
Is the number of visitors directly related to ‘a steam ban’, or perhaps less people are visiting because of the extreme heat outside ?
Click to expand...
I think it is a combination of both. I've seen the Bluebell fairly busy even during extreme hot weather. In fact I would suggest it was busier with extreme heat + steam then it was with moderate weather without steam.
PP57601 said:
Of course, the use of diesels may also attracts different amount of visitors who perhaps wouldn’t otherwise have visited.

Personally, I’ve made two visits to the Paignton & Dartmouth and two to the Glos & Warwicks that I wouldn’t have made if regular steam was in operation.
Click to expand...
This is a valid point, as many enthusiasts are diesel fans. However, I think it is generally accepted that most of the general visitors to heritage railways prefer steam traction, and to many, it is a key factor in deciding to visit.
 
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