Heritage Railway Websites

As technology evolves and more people turn to using digital forms of communication what would be the most useful tool to include on railway's websites?

Also as Social Media is also becoming a big part of peoples lives what messages would you like to see conveyed on Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, Stumbleupon, Etc (the list is endless really)...?

This will help me and possibly others to hopefully develop communication strategies that captures what enthusiasts will be looking for when visiting Foxfield's website or any other for that matter...

Regards Richard

 

I think the most important thing is how often can they be kept up to date? Many railways have a twitter feed and a facebook page, but if they arent updated on a regular basis im not sure they are of great value. That said, if you can keep them up to date and help people feel involved with whats going on then they can be really helpful - the F&WHR's approach is a good example of what can be achieved IMO.

Chris

 

The L&B website is regularly (normally at least once a week) updated with news snippets, and there are also larger additions to the information available from time to time. We also have links to facebook and twitter, although I admit these are not particulalry well utilised (mainly just channelling readers to the news items) and something I am keen to improve, time and resources permitting.

The use of social networking sites though, is very much a thing for the younger generations, and I think most heritage railways would be keen to introduce younger members to their teams, to augment (and eventually, replace!) those of us who are of more mature years, so these could be very useful channels to develop.

One thing that several railway websites now use (the ffestiniog is the one I first became aware of), to varying degrees, is a webcam page, giving distant members and web visitors a view of what is actually going on at their favourite station/workshop/railway facility right now (well, perhaps a short time ago). The L&B doesn't have a webcam facility at present, but I am hoping to introduce something later this year (again resources are an issue here!)

 

Sorry to buck the trend but, whilst I acknowledge the value of more trendy media in attracting the younger (and smetimes not so young) generations, all I want is a well designed and up-to-date website. Frequent, smaller updates are preferable to less frequent, but more substantial updates. I quite like the Wordpress option used by the Preserved Diesels site and others.

 

It depends who you are targeting.
Joe public need a clear path to the timetable, fares and directions mainly with a set of pages detailing the stock and a donations/sponsorship/membership page (e-donations? or standing order/membership forms etc)
Whereas a link to a newsgroup/blog for the volunteers would be useful as they can bring the correct kit with them for that weekend.
regards
David

 

an Iphone app, using google maps, which directs you to your nearest railway / station, timetable and fares... even current locomotive roster

 

Totally agree with this myself.

 

Who wouldnt agree? A well designed and up-to-date website is what all railways should aim for, but if they can utilise modern social media and the like as well then even better. The two are not mutually exclusive, indeed ive usually found that they go hand in hand.

 

Good questions, Richard and some really useful replies.

I have found an RSS feed to be extremely useful. Headline news can be picked up by a limitless number of applications, from websites to blogs to mobiles to forums, with links back to the main website for the fuller story. I have two RSS feeds - one for latest news and one for latest pics.

Another useful tool is a mobile website. Mine is a (mainly) text-only cut down version showing news, train times, directions and so on, and with the latest (three) pics. It could be greatly improved but it does a job at the mo.

Then there is Twitter. I have @WizzerTweet which simply uses the RSS feed - but - it also allows me to tweet (by browser or mobile texting) breaking news. I also have @WsrInfoLive still in its infancy which allows trusted contributors to tweet info about live train running (or not running!) directly to it. The content can be seen by anyone via RSS and websites, and by mobile phones for those "following" @WsrInfoLive on Twitter.

I have not found Facebook so helpful but that's most likely my fault in not using it to best advantage.

I have used other socialmedia outlets (like stumbleupon, tumblr and so on) but have not found these quite so effective. No harm (or cost) in trying them though!

I'd like to look at producing smartphone apps but, for iphone, I have no apple machine which hampers the process. But I'm using PhoneGap to help me produce apps for a variety of platforms so I may get there soon. I think this is/will be an important area for information.

I'd suggest a regularly updated "conventional" website remains a keystone in any e-info strategy for any heritage railway. From there, the opportunities to "gather once, scatter many" are endless.

Finally, my efforts are "unofficial". An official view/strategy may need to be very different.

Steve

 

I am a registered Apple developer, currently developing the design and layout for RailTour-Live once the concept is finished, I will also be looking to purchase an Imac.