Do preserved railways know this?

[railfan99]

Do any UK preserved railways record from what city/town/village (or nation) from which their passengers emanate?

This might supply data as to where they ought concentrate any local marketing efforts.

I've never been asked for such detail, yet occasionally overseas at non-rail attractions, it's been requested.

 

[High Dyke]

I haven't volunteered in the heritage rail sector for some years, but ordinarily that information wasn't collated as such. However, if you had an event requiring pre-booking then you did have a person's details. Obviously there is legislation how that data is used. As a 'walk-up' visitor on the day then offering your information wouldb be voluntary.

Some non-railway events I've attended sometimes ask for a postcode to identify demographics, but that only gives a small generic location.

 

[simonw]

Do any UK preserved railways record from what city/town/village (or nation) from which their passengers emanate?

This might supply data as to where they ought concentrate any local marketing efforts.

I've never been asked for such detail, yet occasionally overseas at non-rail attractions, it's been requested.

Ah but do you concentrate your marketing where people already come from to visit, or places where people don't visit from ?

 

[xotGD]

I suppose a fairly crude split is between those who are relatively local, coming for a day out, and those visiting the area with overnight accommodation, taking in the railway as part of a longer visit.

Of course, enthusiasts will be prepared to go much further as a day trip than normals.

 

[30907]

I suspect grant-givers are more interested in the demographic, which could only be recorded by a survey, than the geographical spread.

A marketing team might be interested is "missing" postcode areas (which they could access from online bookings etc) but I doubt many have the budget to do targeted advertising.

 

[Falcon1200]

Those who request details for Gift Aid will have some records, although it seems to be uncommon in my experience on Heritage railways.

 

[paul1609]

Do any UK preserved railways record from what city/town/village (or nation) from which their passengers emanate?

This might supply data as to where they ought concentrate any local marketing efforts.

I've never been asked for such detail, yet occasionally overseas at non-rail attractions, it's been requested.

yes we have a lot of detailed profiling of our market. Don't forget that by far the majority of our passengers book in advance.