From the Dover/New Philadelphia The Times-Reporter.

Hopefully no extra money was coughed up simply to call the train "the Polar Express". That money (regardless of the amount, though I'd be curious to know) could be better spent elsewhere.

I would think that "the North Pole Express" or similar name would work just fine. Just don't paint it yellow and call it UP!

/Mitch

I have removed a post in this thread, attacking the Dennison Museum's management decision over the perceived payment of fees to use the term Polar Express in the absence of any information that fees were paid, and if paid were significant. (the newspaper article specifically states that there is a confidentiality clause concerning the agreement)

Discussions of licensing agreements, their costs, the benefits are reasonable and welcome. Challenging the decision reached by a different organization is not welcome.

The above newspaper article raise a timely and very interesting question, the answer to which will be important and germaine to many of our tourist railway brethern.
Would one of our forum members be willing to share the basic details of what is required to do a contract with First American Railways (or whatever Alan Harper calls his licensing arm) in order to use the name "Polar Express"? The 2 short lines I'm somewhat active with immediatly opted to adopt another name rather than pay the "vig" to use the name.
As these special holiday trains provide a HUGE revenue boost to many struggling shortline operators this is more than an academic question.
Any solid information will be most helpful.
Thanks, Ross Rowland

Value is what it is all about. Anybody can invent and produce a winter holiday themed event at their own site without incurring any licensing fee.

Not everybody is a good inventor or producer.

You can write your own script and produce you own version of the Arthurian legends in your own community theatre, and sell it as such, or pay the fees to present SPAMALOT, produce it, and sell that - or bring in the national touring company and sell that - costs escalate with each option, but so do benefits provided by the vendor.

For some organizations, what they are buying for the licensing fee may well be worth many times that cost in terms of increased revenues. Others, perhaps not - I'd venture to suggest that a little line operating in a rural area with few other distractions could do well with a homegrown event done at minimal cost, but the operators forced to try to compete in terms of visibility with many other events could find the value of the name recognition very cheap at the fee (whatever it may be) indeed.

I don't know what comes with the "package" but if it includes preproduced TV commercials, well crafted media releases, and other marketing aids and plans it could be very valuable for groups who may be great mechanics and operators but not skilled marketers.

Any event which helps any of us achieve recognition, support and prosperity is a positive thing from my POV, whether it comes with a fee attatched or not. It serves none of us to second guess others decisions about their own groups weaknesses and strengths, and how they choose to proceed accordingly.

dave

Well said Dave!

Let's be honest folks, at this point in the game anything that puts keyster's in the coach seats is worth pursuing. Granted, I'm told the rights to the Polar Express package are pricey, but if it's effective, comes with a well thought-out marketing plan, and still turns a worthwhile profit, then why not?

Personally, I'll just glad to see another excursion train running on the OC.

Tim