What RR lines, branches or even abandoned/unused tracks do you think would be great for a tourist RR to operate on?
None. There are already so many tourist trains that barely make it. Starting more is merely an invitation for failure, absent significant outside support.
LC
A tourist line has to offer something special. A trundle through the woods isn’t sufficient. Even spectacular scenery is only a middling draw.
Our biggest “season” is fall colors - hundreds of folks come out for a look at the leaves. One of our biggest draws through the course of the summer is the “train robberies,” which just happen to occur on a train that moves.
Our biggest event for the year is the “Polar Express.” They always sell out, but we could probably run 3 miles instead of 13 and nobody would notice - it’s all in the dark anyhow.
The rest of the year we consider a 200 passenger day pretty good. We’ve gone out with two passengers - less than the crew, but they showed up and paid, so we go. We’ve also cancelled a trip entirely, because nobody showed up.
Unless you have an area near a major metropolitan area that currently has no such operation, you need to look very closely as to whether you start something up like that.
I’m not so sure we broke even last year, even discounting some locomotive issues that have come up.
Interesting. One needs to consider economics first in any railroad related project. Breaking even can be a term subject to many interpretations. I suspect you are considering a break even based upon operations alone. Most tourist railroads have to account that way. The capital costs of MOW and structures is such that most tourist operators would have to show significant red ink all the time. The Adirondack Scenic receives significant capital support from the State of New York which keeps the big capital spending issues such as MOW&S under control. Still it is a big issue. Small trourist pikes do a bit better with the capital issue due to their smaller physical plant, but also suffer because there are only so many customers for a short “choo-choo” ride such as the Thomas the Tank or Polar Ex
The tourist line I’m with does decent business. It runs on a 10 mile section of abandoned line that has a significant historical mythology attached to it. Couple that with a steam locomotive, scenic vistas, a ride over 238 foot high steel trestle, and special events like the “Great Train Robbery” complete with stunt riders firing blanks who rob the passengers at gun point, we do ok.
The old Copper Range in the UP of Michigan??
Who’d ride? It’s how far from the nearest (never mind major) population center?
Maybe folks on the way to Isle Royale National Park? There is a bit of tourism up there. I personally just like the old line, and would think it would be neat to see trains running on it again. It passes basically right under the Bishop Baraga monument.
In Connecticut there is four Museums, two with Tourist Trains!
An hour drive from Hartford, two hours from Boston or New York City, that’s the population you need. The State owns the track, they gave it to the railroads 150 years ago, when service ended the State took it back.
Essex is Steam powered with a Mikado and a Consolidation. It also connects with a River Boat Ride making a 2 1/2 hour excursion. They also operate a dinner Train. In the Spring and Fall, for a stiff price, they will teach you to run a Steam Locomotive and give you an hour on the Throttle, that extends the operating season. Essex is 20, or less, miles from other tourist attractions, the worlds largest Casino, Foxwoods. The Mohegan Sun Casino is also nearby as is the Mystic Sea Port (1860 Whaling). http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/
The Naugatuck Railroad operates out of Thomaston, 25 miles west of Hartford. Diesel powered with an FL9 and a restored RS3. They also operate a “Engineer For An Hour” program, this time on a Diesel. http://www.rmne.org/ (Railroad Museum of New England)
And there’s the trolley museum just north of Hartford, which also offers time at the throttle.
well i DO know part of CNW’s old main to Itasca was saved and used by a tourist road still. nice to see it’s still around, i must say. Wisconsin Great Northern is the road’s name. they’re based in Spooner. i guess the yard there was saved and used by WGN as their own yard. i always wanted to go up there and check it out. and photograph CNW 400 which has become a lawn ornament there.
yikes. poor thing
That would be Warehouse Point, which is a great tourist line and museum. I was there about 20 years ago, and they were using about a mile of old Connecticut Railway track and were negotiating for several more miles of line.
We have a decent line in SE MO, the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern. They use track which is also used by the Jackson and Southern, so the line makes money even when the tourist traffic is light.
But I agree that the tourist business is pretty well saturated.
Has anybody ridden on this tourist train?