GWSR Bumper Year

I've had to start a new thread as I can't comment on the one already posted by Admin

http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-news/november-dips-but-year-to-date-well-ahead.aspx

I think it's a fantastic achievement for the GWSR to run 10 miles of standard gauge line, be close to extending to Broadway and carry c70,000 passengers (NB - passengers - not passenger journeys where return tickets count double) without a single paid employee.

Many heritage railways are fragile financially - usually due to the wages bill.

 

Yes, well done to GWSR. They are sometimes mentioned as the "next big thing" among preserved lines, so let's hope that a reasonably trouble-free conclusion to the Broadway extension keeps them on course. A station in that well-known and picturesque destination could be worth at least an extra 5000 passengers a year, I would have thought.

 

Hopefully volunteering in signalling there soon, woop!

 

Yes, well done to all there. It's a while since I've been, I'll make a new year's resolution

"Santa train to steam out of Kidderminster"
Kidderminster Shuttle - 3 Dec
"THE first of Severn Valley Railway's (SVR) Santa trains steams out of Kidderminster on Saturday. More than 25000 people are booked to make the magical visit ..."
http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/4775805.Santa_train_to_steam_out_of_Kidderminster/

The Valley couldn't turn out 44,000 passengers without both volunteer and paid effort I guess. It has got me thinking, how many passengers could GWSR carry if it did have staff, and what's the economics?

Patrick

 

Not many of the SVR paid staff are involved in operating trains.

I personally think that having staff CAN lead to a vicious circle, where numbers have to be carried just to pay for the staff - have a look at the mess the Talyllyn has got itself into by paying out more in wages than it takes in ticket income and having to be subsidised by the members just to pay the wages

 

All credit to the GWSR for surviving without paid employees! - there must be quite a few people who make a mega superhuman effort for this to be possible.

But is it sustainable - especially as the railway expands??
Only time will tell.

 

It depends on if the volunteer numbers expand at a greater rate then the demand on resources.

Currently, you are correct 1472, the GWSR's achievements are down to a significant number of volunteers, but a small number do a significant amount of work which in my opinion keep the railway running.

More help is always needed!!!

Stephen
GWSR Fireman

 

What as the final passenger booking figure for 2009?

 

Michael,

From the GWSR site

"By close of business on 1st January, 73,836 tickets to travel had been issued - 9.4 per cent up on 2008 and 3.8 per cent on our previous best year, 2007."

Cheers,

John

 

Thanks, John