Llangollen Heritage Rail Gala 2/6/2018

[E759]

I attended the Llangollen Heritage Rail (DMU) Gala 2/6/2018 and had a lovely time, so thank you to staff and volunteers. The line goes through some stunning scenery and there is lots of token block working to observe. I sampled most of the tea rooms which were are quaint.

The loadings on Saturday were not huge and I wonder why that might be? Chatting to staff/volunteer apparently their recent Paddington event was rammed and the Pepper Pig event also extremely popular. Does this suggest that rail "enthusiasts" as not that enthusiastic after all; if they don't turn-up then future DMU events could be in jeopardy in favour of Pepper Pig, Paddington and He Who Must not be Mentioned (without payment of a fat fee)...

[Regarding travel to the event; full marks to Arrive Bus who provided WiFi and USB charging sockets for the short distance between Ruabon and Llangollen and Nul Points to Virgin who didn't for the long journey between Euston and Chester/Crewe. Special mention to the Llangollen-Wrecsam bus driver and the Ruabon-Wrecsam train crew for their very tolerant policy towards passengers going out for the evening having already started celebrating at lunch time!]

 

[matt]

DMUs tend to have a smaller following than locos do

 

[alexl92]

Generally there are two things - first, as Matt has said, DMUs are more of a ‘niche’ interest than steam or diesel locomotives, so where enthusiasts may turn out in droves to get a ride behind 70013 or a pair of 20s, the DMU events tend to be lower-key events (but from what I understand, equally enjoyable to those who attend).

Secondly, most heritage railways know that the events that will pull the biggest profit are actaully those where the trains are not the main focus - so a TV character (Peppa, Paddington, Paw Patrol), historical celebration (1940s/wartime weekends) or food/drink festivals (Beer/Ale festival). This is because they have an attraction beyond the enthusiast community, and encourage people from the local and wider area to visit who otherwise might not. The exception is Thomas the Tank Engine, but you could argue still the TV character point.

I suppose it’s obvious really - if you put on an event for enthusiasts, you earn ticket and food sales for those people, and then subtract your loco and running costs. If you host an event with the same costs but with an appeal to enthusiasts AND the public, you’ve got a greater chance of a higher income.

Don’t get me wrong though - events aimed at enthusiasts are essential and I hope that the heritage industry never reaches a stage where they’re not profitable. For me, they’re far more appealing than a Peppa Pig or 40s weekend, but I do know that each cannot happen without the other.

 

[E759]

Thank you Alex, a very informative response. And yes, DMU events are very enjoyable.

Having attended both diesel bash weekends and DMU, to me the attraction of the DMU is twofold: The vehicle really does transport you back into another bygone era - vs MK 1 stock of very generic heritage not really transporting you to anywhere other than your destination - and secondly you’re watching the driver drive the train and seeing the track, kinks and pheasants and all, ahead of you and feeling a part of the whole experience.

Agree there is a place for all people of all leanings and well done to all lines for offering up so many choices.

 

[satisnek]

I didn't go this year, I went down to the Mid-Hants diesel gala instead (and had a good Thump!), but have been many times previously and found it very enjoyable, not too busy but not depressingly quiet either. The running costs will be lower than an event using loco-hauled trains (which is why BR started using DMUs in the first place!), so this will compensate for the lower level of custom.

Yes, DMUs do transport you back to a bygone era - I would guess that it's because they are usually either in 'as withdrawn from BR' condition or lovingly restored to how they looked as built (like the Llangollen's 109). Mark 1s, on the other hand, tend to have random moquette, replacement panelling and table surfaces and nowadays LED lighting - they are treated as functional vehicles and not 'preserved' as such.

And it sounds like the buses between Ruabon and Llangollen have changed - the ones I have used in the past were quite basic and in one case the bell didn't work, resulting in me nearly being carried past Ruabon station and into the town centre!