The Value of Heritage Railways

Chums,
I've heard (and read) on several occasions that roughly for every £1 spent on a heritage railway, some £5 are spent in the local area. Good justification for having such a railway on your door step, and the loss of one was certainly noticed when the SVR was breached by floods.
My question is; can anyone point me in the direction of the study or report where this factoid originated?
All the best,

Ralph

 

The Heritage Railway Association might have knowledge of the derivation of this figure?

Regards,
John Webb

 

I beleive someone by the name of Megan did a study into the Ffestiniog's affect on the local economy. I contacted her through them and got a copy of here dissertation into it, which contained some interesting figures. No idea what happened to it after I used it though, sorry!!

 

The WSR were subject of a similar exercise back in 2003 I think. I supplied details of our expenditure on 5542 in the local area. It was undertaken by a university based in the midlands I think (Loughborough possibly) WSW may be able to shed more light.

Cheers

John

 

Not really much help, John. There was this report in 2005:

"Heritage Railway Magazine report 'An increase in incoming specials on Britain’s longest heritage line, an all-round higher frequency of service trains, and the lengthening of the operating season are just some of the proposals which stem from a new study compiled for the West Somerset Railway by consultants Manchester Metropolitan University, and subsequently used as a basis for study by its tourism management students – who may one day head up Britain’s all-important tourist industry.'
8 May 2005
Details from Heritage Railway Magazine"

I don't recall seeing the results which were, I guess, for internal use only.

Steve
(WSW)

 

West Somerset certainly had a study done, and I think they used £4 in the local community for £1 on the Railway. On the NYMR, the local Tourist Board supplied a figure nearer £6 or £7 in the local community, although this was total spend by those visiting the Railway whether just in the area for that or not.

In 2000, I did a theoretical exercise of working out the spend in the local area by those visiting a Special Event, where a large proportion will be visiting from some distance and hence spending on fuel, food and probably accommodation and I got a figure of around £7 also.

Steven

 

Regarding the F&WHR and the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway I stumbled across the study whilst culling rail magazines. On page 70 of the May 2009 issue it detailed £9 million was being brought in by the F&WHR which indirectly supported 350 jobs with an expected 70 more jobs created once the WHR is open to Porthmadog. The WHHR found theirs was £250,000 a year to the local area. I dont have the railways revenues to hand but from that the £1 spent is x pounds in the local area could be found.

Regards
Duncan

 

Not a scientific study but I went to the WSR with my good lady for the bank holiday. Spent around £30 on train fares and in excess of £200 on accommodation, food, drink etc. so the local economy did quite well out of our visit.

 

The society arm of the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway opened a shop in Blaenavon High Street, several years ago. It helped to arrest the decline of Blaenavon, and plays a large part of the railways fortune. It also underlines the public spend aspect, as visitors get to use the other shops, as well.

It also helped to get the local council on-side, when it came to extending the line back into Blaenavon High Level.

Regards,
Ian

 

There was an excellant study done by the ELR / Bury Council on the future path of the ELR and the benefits of tourism in the area.
it was very comprehensive and not just about expanding the ELR, but comparing the preserved railway industry against other forms of tourism sector industries, local geography, the ELR vs other railways, the financial value of the ELR, the volunteer financial savings agsinst actual cost of hired staff etc.

http://www.bury.gov.uk/Environment/Planning/PlanningProjects/EastLancsRailwayTrust.htm

A very good read and has tips that would be useful for many preserved railways.