I saw Strasburg railroad's new timetable for 2004. They are extending the Cagney ride down past the backshops and are offering daily guided tours of j tower. I also got word of their ridership in recent years - not very good i'm afraid. 304,311 in 2001, 276,950 in 2002 and 244,278 in 2003. I hope they do better this year. steve

> I saw Strasburg railroad's new timetable for
> 2004.

If you haven't seen Strasburg's new web site, hie thee thither (quit laughing, Leadbelly ;) The calendar is very well done, and other railroads should take a look.

JAC

Strasburg Rail Road Calendar

John et all..

I took your advice and looked at their schedule & site, one of the best I've seen. Strasburg's riddership figured represent an overall downward trend we've seen far and wide over the past few years. The economy, 9-11, higher fuel prices and many other factors can all be cited as possible reasons.

Still 244,278 is an enviable number of riders for any railroad. I think Steamtown's was somewhere near 25,000 on the excursion trains last year for comparison with another major institution.

If Strasburg wasn't as forward thinking as they are, that number would surely be lower.

Kurt, has a study ever been done to see what percentage of Strasburg riders visit the RRMofPA? Or what percentage of the museum's visitation also rode the train?

Dave Crosby

bing@epix.net

Yes, I believe a study was done sometime ago (in the last 7 years, I believe). I think at the time it was something like 35% of railroad passengers visited the museum, but I'll defer to our director, or to Linn Moedinger on any "official" figures.

> John et all..

> I took your advice and looked at their
> schedule & site, one of the best I've
> seen. Strasburg's riddership figured
> represent an overall downward trend we've
> seen far and wide over the past few years.
> The economy, 9-11, higher fuel prices and
> many other factors can all be cited as
> possible reasons.

> Still 244,278 is an enviable number of
> riders for any railroad. I think Steamtown's
> was somewhere near 25,000 on the excursion
> trains last year for comparison with another
> major institution.

> If Strasburg wasn't as forward thinking as
> they are, that number would surely be lower.

> Kurt, has a study ever been done to see what
> percentage of Strasburg riders visit the
> RRMofPA? Or what percentage of the museum's
> visitation also rode the train?

> Dave Crosby

Wow, during the summer there running trains about every half hour from 11 am on. What locomotives will they using this year, or dose it change though out the year?
-justin

Steamtown 2005
qcmrs18@yahoo.com