Railway Preservation News
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A refreshingly candid travel review site
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Author:  Alexander D. Mitchell IV [ Mon Apr 26, 2004 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  A refreshingly candid travel review site
Folks,

Care for a free "mystery shopper" to ride your train and then report back on the experience, good and bad?

Check out SisterBetty at the link below.

The writer is a travel buff (all sorts of travel) that doesn't hesitate to let the reader know of the less-than-enjoyable aspects of his many travels. I have read stuff here that would make me call my staff on the carpet or resulted in firings if I were running the railroad, such as this comment on one noted operation: "This landscape has beauty of its own. It's a beauty better appreciated if the staff of the train would ever shut up. They don't. They drone on and on. Buy this. Buy that. Another drink (sorry, we weren't talking to you homos...)" [Okay, the last part is a perceived slight, but in the overall context of the review it has a point.]

The author/photographer at times seems to have a mighty chip on his shoulder. Nonetheless, I'd be tempted to invite him to an operation and post his comments to me in trade for free tickets.


SisterBetty Train Trip Travelogues
LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net
Author:  Tom Cornillie [ Mon Apr 26, 2004 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A refreshingly candid travel review site
In case fellow readers were wondering, the comment was made about a trip aboard the Grand Canyon railroad.

> "This landscape has beauty of its own. It's a
> beauty better appreciated if the staff of
> the train would ever shut up. They don't.
> They drone on and on. Buy this. Buy that.

This site makes a good point about the dangers of over-commercializing our operations. While we may think it wise to try to place a cash register and sales announcements everywhere - it may end up driving away more business than it brings.

rrhistorian@hotmail.com
Author:  David M. Wilkins [ Mon Apr 26, 2004 11:57 am ]
Post subject:  The Pembroke Report
I think the British have us beat on the whole "mystery shopper" idea for railway preservation. The British magazine Steam Railway contains an article every month titled the "Pembroke Report." The writer visits various preserved railways in the UK, and rates them. As far as I know, no photo of his face has appeared in the magazine, so few know what he looks like. He comments on everything, from the qaulity of the ride, to the refreshments served, to the cleanliness of the bathrooms. It's a good idea I wish someone over here would duplicate.

david.wilkins@bardstown.com
Author:  Al Patterson [ Mon Apr 26, 2004 12:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A refreshingly candid travel review site
I read the Santa Fe Southern and the Grand Canyon reports. This guy had the Santa Fe Southern down. Thank god for the local railfan who rode the same trip as I did. If it wasn't for him I'd probably know what every house in Santa Fe costs ...



Al's Rail Photos
acp19809@yahoo.com
Author:  Steve Singer [ Mon Apr 26, 2004 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A refreshingly candid travel review site
> Folks,

> Care for a free "mystery shopper"
> to ride your train and then report back on
> the experience, good and bad?

> Check out SisterBetty at the link below.

> The writer is a travel buff (all sorts of
> travel) that doesn't hesitate to let the
> reader know of the less-than-enjoyable
> aspects of his many travels. I have read
> stuff here that would make me call my staff
> on the carpet or resulted in firings if I
> were running the railroad, such as this
> comment on one noted operation: "This
> landscape has beauty of its own. It's a
> beauty better appreciated if the staff of
> the train would ever shut up. They don't.
> They drone on and on. Buy this. Buy that.
> Another drink (sorry, we weren't talking to
> you homos...)" [Okay, the last part is
> a perceived slight, but in the overall
> context of the review it has a point.]

> The author/photographer at times seems to
> have a mighty chip on his shoulder.
> Nonetheless, I'd be tempted to invite him to
> an operation and post his comments to me in
> trade for free tickets.
That guy's comments about the Grand Canyon RR are pretty darn funny! I rode it back in 95 & the car hosts were giving the hard sell even back then!

bas1210@comcast.net
Author:  T.J. Gaffney [ Mon Apr 26, 2004 2:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A refreshingly candid travel review site *PIC*
I personally though this person's view of the Emeryville Station was most enlightening, given the picture below. Think that how your place looks architecturally doesn't matter? Think people don't care, because its just a "pass through"?:

"It seems too similar to places I have only seen in pictures - places of a much different sort. What architect designed this place? Was the similarity intentional or purely a result of ignorance?

And I realized the similarity went past the architecture. Indeed the historic image involved trains as well - trains filled with people who never left.

It was a strange moment and I secretly hoped an earthquake would destroy the walkway...after I was safely on the ground."

I think David Gunn and others should take a real look at this site!



Port Huron Museum
Image
tjgaffney@phmuseum.org
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