Winners and Losers in 2015

I've only visited the GCR twice, in 2014 on a July Saturday and today (29th) at a gala. I enjoyed today much more because there was a lot more happening and the double track set up lets you do more interesting things from an operational point. The trains on that day in 2014 would only have been about 1/3 full at most which seems odd to me compared to other railways that I've visited on summer saturdays and my own experience of the SVR.
The scenery, let's be honest, isn't particulary interesting and the stations seem to be a bit a way from things, well maybe not Loughborough but the others yes. Thus my gut feeling is that ordinary folk probably just have a quick ride on train and then go elsewhere rather than spending a whole day on the railway.
So the NRM outstation? Well, it's another reason to be nearby/at the railway so you would imagine it would increase the numbers but it really depends on how successful the outstation is, if it happens.

 

Comparison of Passenger numbers would appear to be thus far:

North Yorks 2013 = C330,000 2014 = C335,000 2015 = ?335,000+?
Swanage 2013 = 210,984 2014 = 216,267 2015 = 217,080
Severn Valley 2013 = C211,000 2014 = 204,045 2015 = 205,000
West Somerset 2013 = 197,654 2014 = 195,212 2015 = 182,764
North Norfolk 2013 = 158,700 2014 = 161,054 2015 = 165,908
East Lancs 2013 = ?? 2014 = ?? 2015 = 163,000 – 164,000
Bluebell 2013 = ?? 2014 = 155,238 2015 = Similar to 2014
Isle of Wight 2014 = 105,709 2015 = 107,586
Keighley & Worth 2013 = ?? 2014 = 110,715 2015 = Just under 100,000
Great Central 2013 = ?? 2014 = C85,000 2015 = C100,000
South Devon 2013 = ?? 2014 = 97,800 2015 = 97,200
Gloucs & Warks. 2013 = ?? 2014 = ?? 2015 = 88,569
Strathspey 2013 = ?? 2014 = ?? 2015 = 70,000
Bodmin & Wenford 2013 = ?? 2014 = ?? 2015 = 56,750
Lynton & Barnstaple 2013 = ?? 2014 = C46,000 2015 = 48,000
Some Railways report lower passenger numbers but higher revenues.
2015 SANTA SPECIALS
SVR carried 32,419. All trains sold out before the first had run!
MHR carried 17,851.
Bluebell carried 14,323.
GWSR carried 9,476.
Swanage carried 8,807.

Further figures found in Heritage Railways magazine Issue 212 (11 Feb – 9 Mar)
IOWSR figures added.

 

IOWSR published figures are:- 2014:- 105,709. 2015:-107,586

 

Statement from Chinnor on facebook - double digit YOY % growth in passenger numbers in 2015 and overall a record year. Oh, and yesterday the permanent connection was opened at Thame Junction. Princes Risborough bay platform before the end of the year is the aspiration.

 

With the proviso that no two lines are likely to compile their figures in exactly the same manner some of these figures are rather lower than might be expected in view of the size of the operations concerned and their proximity to substantial populations. Similarly, the Strathspey does well despite being in a thinly populated area albeit one popular with tourists.

There are some big gaps in the lines covered. Hopefully some of these gaps will be filled in due course.

Paul H.

 

I think some railways include all the members/shareholders journeys, whereas others only include paying passengers.

 

Maybe thats just journeys? Last time I was there, we were five (and a dog) and we took three trips, since it only takes a few minutes there and back. So five visitors but 15 trips.

Update: My point being that precisely because it's such a short line it can rack up a lot of passenger journeys.

 

The SVR management are seeing what others do as it appears the SVR figures in the past couple of years might be out by a far bit, as the share issue in 2012/13 and the introduction of annual family passes in 2013 mean the numbers of passengers not being counted properly has increased.