It took a few days to dig out from NCTM's second weekend with Thomas the Tank Engine, but we now have some attendance figures for the event: In six days 47,429 came to visit. As you can expect, there were a large number of small kids with parents or grandparents. It's a great way to mingle fun and history and to introduce a whole new set of people to the musuem.

To take care of the loads, we operated 11 Thomas trains of 450 seats each day plus a diesel helper. These trains operated every 45 minutes, so the train crews made an art of loading and unloading passengers. Also operarting was a Caboose Hop consisting of one open sided coach plus six cabooses of various shapes, sizes and vintages. Though limited in capacity (about 120 people), it was very popular.

This was quite an undertaking for all of our volunteers and staff, but they did a great job, working some long hours and tough schedules (3-year-olds get heavier as the day wears on). It will be a while before there will be a report on the revenues that were earned, but I'm sure the treasury and our restoration shop will be beneficiaries--one of our diesels goes in for an overhaul this fall, it's time to rebuild another coach and 2-8-0 604 gets a 15-year inspection and tubes this winter.

There will be a seminar during ARM/TRAIN 2001 about what it takes to put on a large scale special event like this. Those of you considering a visit by Thomas when the Day Out with Thomas program expands should plan to attend.

Jim



http://visitsalisburync.com
Wrinnbo@aol.com

Glad to hear this was a successful event. I doubt many other steam or diesel events could bring that many folks together. At least at your location first-time folks will get to see some real trains as well as Thomas and perhaps get the bug for later.
Something tells me I should quit making videos of these real trains, and start investing in THOMAS stuff! But I suppose I am too late for that too!

Guess I'll have to be satisfied seeing a non-thomas 4-8-4 this weekend instead...oh well!

Greg Scholl


Videos and such
sales@gregschollvideo.com

> There will be a seminar during ARM/TRAIN
> 2001 about what it takes to put on a large
> scale special event like this. Those of you
> considering a visit by Thomas when the Day
> Out with Thomas program expands should plan
> to attend.

Bro' Jim, has the seminar schedule been made public? If so, where can I get a copy?

JAC

> Bro' Jim, has the seminar schedule been made
> public? If so, where can I get a copy?

> JAC

If you'd like a copy of the seminar schedule, email me and I will attach it to my reply. I am working with Jim on the convention.

John Bechtel, NCTM


shaymech@hotmail.com