Steel Steam and Stars III

I agree Brum to llan isnt a bad trip the shrewsbury to Os sections a bit tight, I think what we are saying is its disadvantage is it doesnt have a huge 360' catchement area there is nor a great deal to the west unlike the CVR, it is also sad to note that the rail service to London Wrexham called it a day

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head with that quote.

 

I think we're losing track of the debate, I know I am! It was the cost of a day ticket I think, and whether £20 was too cheap and should be pitched higher at £28. That's where the extra costs of getting there etc come in to play. Personally I think £28 is too steep as we tend to go to these galas as a couple, unless it's just down the road. £20 is a sort of psychological tipping point for this sort of event I reckon, and SSSIII have made the right decision. As for Joe Public, I think a return trip ought to be offered too, at say £15? Pitch it right and some will see it as a good saving, whilst the others will see the added value in the day ticket and buy that - it's a win-win.

Anyway, good luck with the event, and I hope we will be there to enjoy it, as the LR is one of my favourites - we always call in on our way to or from the WHR.

 

As I said - its better to get 50% of some revenue than 100% of none.

There are various classes of potential customer to be targetted and the comment about reality kicking in, and previous volunteer managers having to move on, because they have encountered real life priorities of work, life, expenses, available discretionary spend, time etc should be taken on board.

Sell a mix of day, single round trip, and evening tickets and you will maximise your revenue and appeal, both in tickets and ancillary sales, and possibly repeat visits - but a one price fits all will not work. People will look over the fence, take photos, and go elsewhere for their day out. Just what you don't want.

 

i agree, there was a buzz in the air on the last two galas with family members young and old enjoying a day out, charge to high and you will only get the enthusiasts in that in my experience wont buy much else x

 

Hi everyone i dont know if anyone has said or known about this news but the Heritage Railway Magazine website has said that for the SSS3, They have comfirmed Caledonian Railway No. 828 as another visiting loco to the nine day event. Bring the locomotive round-up to:

828, 70000, 60163, 49395, 1744, 58926, Narrow Gauge No. 2 "Dolgoch", 5199, 4141, 44806, 6430, 7822, 3802, and 80072

An amazing 14 Locomotives!!!
Link to website is here -> http://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/news/blue-828-joins-steel-steam-stars-line-up

Thanks for your time, Traindude10

 

Just a polite reminder that 4141 may only be added to line up subject to completion of overhaul.

 

What about 5643? Is that not taking part?

 

828 should certainly pack them in!

 

From what I believe the loco is back at the owning groups base at the ribble railway, with boiler out in need of some serious repairs to the firebox, so probably not!!

 

I can't believe someone is saying an extra £8 isn't a great deal more for a fare! I'm sorry but that is totally losing sight of reality and shows they are living in a different world to most of us. In this current situation of tightening budgets and disappearing disposable income that extra £8 is very much the difference between attending and not attending, or linesiding and travelling. If there's two of you or more that at least an extra £16, a day out at most railways. At £20 I will come and travel, at £28 i'm afraid I will stay at home. For me i've also got to factor in petrol, lunch as well as spending money for the beer festival, trade stands and perhaps a brake van ride. For those living further afield there is accomodation to consider as well. As has been posted on another thread railways have got to make sure they value for money in these leaner times. Hiking up prices will just alienate the very people railways want to attract and make these events available just to the priviledged few, not good marketing when you are trying to raise money for a project.

 

We hear what you are saying, but do you know what you are saying? Its fine to pay extra for fuel for your car, for your food, for you B&B and so on, but its not fine to cover the extra cost that the railway has to expend on fuel etc, when the whole point is to raise money for the railway or 6880 Betton Grange in this instance.

 

That sums it up wonderfully !

Bob.

 

Isn't this becoming a bit parish pump? The Llangollen Railway are not intending to charge too much for this gala, their charges are perfectly reasonable and in line with other galas which are not anywhere near as ambitious as this one. I am amazed that no fewer than 14 engines have been booked for the event and I'm wondering if that's been done now in the expectation that some are going to drop out before the event. Either that or some are being held up their sleeve as swops!

Regards

 

I'm sure he knows perfectly well what he is saying - the gala committee obviously don't

The costs you list, if the intention is to visit Llangollen, are not optional - they come with the territory and all add in to the overall cost of a visit to the gala. If when the cost of an entry ticket is added it makes the total too much - then the other costs will be avoided by staying at home and 6880 gets nothing.

You are in disposable income territory, not an obligation to support your chosen pet project, and if you make the cost of participation too expensive then you will get 100% of no revenue. If you spend too much on overheads before the event and find that the market will not respond - that is not the market's fault - its the over ambitious path chosen by the promoters. Better 50% of something than all of nothing.

I say again - if you will listen - you need to sell your event to every facet of the market, not lecture it on why not attending is some kind of sin. It isn't, and as 2012 come roaring in disposable income will be seen roaring out, as declining spending power begins to bite, and you face real competition for the optional spend.

 

This is not a Llangollen Railway gala as such. The railway is being 'hired' by the Grange group with the railway receiving a fee for this. The railway also gets the profits from catering, shop sales etc
The high cost of transporting locos, plus the cost of coal, oil,together with the above fee obviously comes from the ticket revenue, hence my suggested hike in prices.

Bob.

 

^^^^ Strewth, I find myself agreeing with Frank

 

Excellent post Frank.