drgwk37 Wrote:
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> I think if you're running a charter it's
> more for breaking even and creating
> the experience.
As you point out,
SOMETIMES charters are co-op efforts for the sheer enjoyment of doing something special
* - which was definitely true in the case of the "Springtime" charter in May, 2010, and even more so in the case of honoring the Volunteers Who Saved Our Railroad In 1970 by celebrating the 40th Anniversary Thereof in late August that same year. In both instances considerably more money was spent by the sponsors than was taken in, and that's not even counting the huge amount of volunteer labor expended by more than half a dozen hard-core instigators, travel & lodging expenses, etc. Would I do it again? You Bet - given a sufficiently inspiring event - and I'm pretty sure several of my fellow Curmudgeons would chip in again as well.
OTOH, last October's charter on the C&TS was set up by professional tour operators whose livelihood depends of making a profit from these ventures, so they have no choice but to charge higher prices while attracting as many customers as reasonably possible - an entirely different situation.
I presume that the professional video producers fall somewhere in between. They probably try to at least break even or make a small profit from the charter itself - including travel expenses, etc. - and then come out farther ahead in the long run by selling videos.
Just my two cents.
-
Russo (muy) Loco
* Like rubbing skeptics' noses on Dark Olive Green Boiler Jackets, Tuscan Red domes, or Bright Red Counterweights
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2013 10:49PM by Russo Loco.