Railway Preservation News
https://www.rypn.org/forums/

Steam Tourist Train Operating Expenses
https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1150		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Ken Reick [ Sun Apr 16, 2000 12:52 am ]
Post subject:  Steam Tourist Train Operating Expenses
My employer is contemplating a startup operation of a tourist train. I am trying to put together a paper on the feasibility of this and need information on acquiring some rolling stock and operating costs. We have access to the trackage, depot, and an 1899 steam locomotive (4',8 1/2"; 2-8-0). Any guidance on startup and operational costs, plus any other pertinent information would be greatly appreciated. We are a reputable company and are serious about this.<br><br>



kenreick@mse-ta.com
Author:  Alan [ Sun Apr 16, 2000 3:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steam Tourist Train Operating Expenses
Wow. Where do we start. Let me ask a couple of questions so the people on this board can be of more help. <p>1. Is the locomotive operable or does it need restoration?<p>2. If it needs to be restored, has it ever been run since the close of steam.<p>3. Is there boiler documentation?<p>4. What kind of rolling stock would you want to run? It may also need restoration.<p>5. Would your company prefer to do the work yourselves or use an outside contractor for repair and maintenance?<p>6. Operating expenses depend greatly on how much the equipment will run. Would it be daily operation or just weekends?<p>I'm sure there are more things I could ask, but answers to these questions will help get you better information. There are many people on this board with experience. I hope we can help you.<p>-Alan<p><br><br>



AlanL759@aol.com
Author:  Steam REalist [ Sun Apr 16, 2000 9:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steam Tourist Train Operating Expenses
Whatever number you come up with, double it. Then double it again. <p>1 million to buy and restore 4 cars must be for equipment in good shape to begin with, OR must either be with volunteer or minimum-wage labor, OR must mean the cars will be restored to very low standards.<p>Check the D.F. Barnhardt site for ballpark figures on what it costs to get a piece of equipment. Moving it and bringing it up to meet FRA standards is another matter.<p>I don't know of anybody who is making a fortune in the steam tourist railroad business, even those who handle 100,000 passengers a year. It's a costly business to be in. <p>And don't fall into the trap of believing the civic hoopla that your steam railroad will bring hundreds of thousands of people, millions of dollars, and hundreds of jobs to some depressed place where people don't want to go. Gary has this part right, and it's been the downfall of a lot of operations that began with a high quotient of blue sky and very little factual basis.<br>
Author:  Dave [ Mon Apr 17, 2000 4:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steam Tourist Train Operating Expenses
And why would a tourist railroad want to buy stuff that is in bad shape to begin with? The LIRR cars and some others are lots of moving seats for the buck spent right now. <p>I did do a 20K rehab job on a car bought recently by a tourist railroad for 6K with two additional worse ones, and it is a bus seat special. <p>Of course, leasing is the way to test the market without investment up front......<p>Dave<br>



lathro19@idt.net
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/