SVR General Discussion

Whoever is manning the account hasn't heard the phrase 'don't read the comments' for online stuff. Or read them but don't respond, not without sleeping on it first. Better yet, keep quiet but take note of the feedback and see how these trains sell. Seems to me most of the negative response on facebook is because the old Sunday dining trains the valley used to run are not available any more, and this is appears (to those commenting at least) to be the replacement which is much more expensive. Which may not be the case, who knows what their future plans are. Maybe this feedback will lead them to introduce more dining trains at a lower price point.

 

And £150 pp for the murder mysteries, ouch...

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As far as the dining trains are concerned, I think that the popularity of "fine dining" cookery shows like Masterchef shows that there is a demand for something rather more sophisticated than a roast beef or chicken "Sunday Lunch" type of offering, and that at least some customers are prepared to pay for that type of offering. It ought to be good news for railways as the basic ingredients are the same and margins should be higher but I suspect many lines will continue to focus on the more basic offering and offer the more sophisticated version on a less frequent basis.

 

They’ll maybe be a laughing stock if they don’t sell. If they do, can we expect a show of contrition from the moaners?

Anyone who’s been close to eg planning a wedding with a decent caterer will know that north of £100/head for good quality food from a specialist is the norm. Once you’ve built in additional margin for the railway and the cost of travel, I don’t see this as being pricey if the food is as good as it looks (and it looks very good).

Simon

 

Assume they will be using the LMS dining car with c 40 seats? So over the four dates so far advertised that's 160 seats to sell. I am fairly
sure they will sell those. Why do I say that that?? Because despite the cost of living crisis there are plenty of people out there with money
to spend. Think the early retired with final salary pensions. Mortgage paid off and kids off their hands. I used to work for a railtour company
and it was always the most expensive dining seats that sold well. Some customers I got to know well. They would spend thousands of pounds
a year. Many have health issues and can no longer get travel insurance or dislike the general airport experience. Take today for instance.
Statesman Rail have a charter over the S&C starting at Worcester and picking up at Droitwich, Kidderminster, Stourbridge and Tame Bridge.
Classic SVR territory you would think. All first class mainly full dining. 350 seats fully booked. £780 per couple in dining at a table for two.
All their trains are similarly fully booked. The SVR gets a lot of criticism but they have to innovate or die. Read Chris Price the Head honcho
at the NYMR, or the Bluebell or Swanage. They are all having to try new things out because the old way is not enough.

The SVR certainly does not get everything right and most of the negativity on its Facebook page are from folk who do not appreciate
the nuances of the different target markets. In this regard perhaps it was not wise of the SVR to use Facebook for this particular
initiative given that much of its target market may not be on Facebook. Certainly when you are in a hole you should stop digging
and I think its probable unwise to respond in the way they have. Certainly as a PR exercise its not good.

 

Here’s a turn up for the books, I might actually agree with Simon, whilst I agree that it’s not something I could justify myself price wise if there’s a market for it why not exploit it?

Whatever’s going on regarding Social Media however needs nipping in the bud.

As @Sidmouth says I think the days of having someone like Ursula Broadhurst and a team of volunteers willing to do things like peel veg and wash up on a Sunday afternoon are disappearing.
From my own experience in my work life good staff are at a premium in hospitality at right now, and those that are certainly know their worth.

 

Paisley Flour Catering are still very much alive based in Bewdley. There are a lot of reviews, generally good.
I just hope that the valley have researched the potential market and haven’t got a dud on their hands.
They seem to be floundering around for ideas a bit and have now managed to upset a fair number of enthusiasts. There were 45 photographers who paid £145 for a photo charter with the Castle. I know some who sent them pictures from the event but they chose to select one from an individual not on the charter for their FB page. When you are needing support and funds, don’t annoy your supporters

 

What Facebook page John?

 

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I believe so. From the timings it's a dining charter attached to service train S1. I think it will be the Mark 1 Kitchen car 1667 and LMS 7511 Restaurant First Open used in 2022 for the Severn Valley Limited, but that's subject to confirmation.

 

The official Severn Valley page.

 

Is it over priced though? That will very much depend on the quality of the food and the whole experience.
I have long thought that the railway needed to offer catering which is worth crossing a couple of counties for instead of just competing with standard pub Sunday lunches. Ok a mythical "Doris from Tipton" may want chips or simple roast beef etc but an equally mythical "Justin from leafy Oxfordshire" might well be interested in something a little more bespoke in catering terms. Views on what folk want and what it should cost vary very widely as does acceptance of different levels of quality and quantity. This is well worth trying and in cold commercial terms it may make more sense than the previous offerings.

It will though need to be extremely good in all respects.......................

Nothing to stop the Valley Suite offering the trad Sunday offering.

 

I believe they did the dinner on Easter Sunday and the general impression I heard was positive.

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On a purely financial basis, I agree. But that needs to be balanced against the question of how future volunteers will be found and recruited.

I was at the GCR diesel gala this afternoon, and was pleasantly surprised by the demographic. These are people who preservation need to draw in, and if they can’t pay, they can’t be drawn in.


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Conversely people like Blubell have also found that having small, low cost to railway, attractions like a local farm, birds of prey etc have brought in families and it would seem increase numbers travelling

 

I wouldn't travel 80 miles to go and have a pub lunch in Bewdley and book it several months in advance.

The offering looks very similar to previous offerings.

 

KESR is doing exactly the same using conservation volunteers to highlight local natural habitats