Re: D&RGW 346

Curtis_F Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jerry Day Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What benefit does the CRRM obtain from their
> > engines running on the C&TS or D&S?
>
> If handled properly it could be used as part of a
> marketing campaign. Get exposure to people
> visiting those locations that may not be aware of
> the CRRM. While visiting the other railroads
> photos could be taken of the equipment in some
> iconic and very scenic locations which could then
> be sold by the CRRM. Maybe get some free press in
> the local papers, local websites, and "puff
> pieces" during the morning news programs.
>
> CRRM can get a return on the investment, just not
> during the trip. The profit comes later when the
> people who saw the engine then visit CRRM.
>
>
> A little while back Dan to the Eureka to Las Vegas
> for an event. Had the engine steamed up in the
> middle of town. It would be interesting to
> compare the visitor numbers for the Nevada State
> RR museum for the year prior to and after that
> event. I would suspect the numbers were higher
> the following year.
>
>
> $0.02
>
> Curtis F.

I probably am responsible for this thread continuing as long as it has. I think it's time to put it to bed. Let me get the last word in. Best case scenario is for the Museum to break even by operating off it's home tracks. The people that support these special runs are railfans. Bless their hearts, but railfans do not pay all of the bills. Most of the Museum admission revenue comes from regular visitors. Railfans amount to 10 maybe 15% of the visitors. They do buy the majority of the publications and the auction items. Even then a lot is mail/phone orders. An interesting statistic is, Admission revenue to any Museum does not make them a profit. You need merchandise, book sales etc. to cover expenses. Then you need State grants, foundation grants, and the generosity of individual donors and a large dedicated volunteer group. The CRRM is a non-profit that is tax exempt. It still has to bring in more than it spends to stay afloat. You have no idea of the expense to keep the CRRM operating. There are salaries, utilities, restoration and maintenance costs. How about insurance? There is a minumum $ amount the Museum must make daily just to open the doors. Now we take 346 to Las Vegas and steam it up in the middle of town, that will make people flock to Golden Colorado to see it run? Russ Sperry is running a trip on the C&TS next month. Although he is running a locomotive that's on it's own tracks, it will be a different run with night photo shots, and a different look. I wish Russ all the luck in the world, but he probably will just break even. ( I have bought a Ticket) Special runs interest railfans, not the general public. The C&TS does not have to truck the locomotive to Antonito to run. Unless you have marketing skills far beyond the CRRM's, you will not make a bunch of money on a run outside the home rails. As for making lots of money on photos of these proposed runs, I don't think so.
It's nice to dream, as I said in previous posts, it would be great to pull a throttle on #346, #20, even Goose #7 on the D&S or C&TS, but when reality sets in It cannot be done. Dan's Eureka is in a different situation than 346.He has the resources in place to operate away from home, Eureka is based in Las Vegas, and he doesn't have a home track or a board of directors. Dan and I have exchanged private messages and he more or less agrees with the CRRM's position. The CRRM is a business and has to be run as such.
I'm not trying to have the last word, but again. lets close this thread.
Bill Gould



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2010 07:14PM by HighCommander.