Stephen, I think the trouble is twofold:

1. our industry is far too small to attract the interest of business school or other academic researchers who publish articles in the open literature, and

2. the few market surveys that have been done on a for-hire basis by firms like Stone are proprietary, and not made public for competitive reasons.

Good evening Forum Members,

This is a very interesting thread with many good views of the pros and cons of "running." Our experience at the Railroad Museum of Long Island is unique in that we don't run our own trains. Over the past two years, by promoting the Long Island Railroad "Greenport Scoot," we have seen a 35% increase in visitors to the Museum(s). Here's what we do.

We publish, advertise and suggest to callers to arrive at our Riverhead NY restoration yard and Visitor's Center when we open at 10AM. Buy your Museum tickets, take our guided tour, ride the G-16 World's Fair Trainset and view the limited exhibits. At 11:25AM, get on the LIRR "Scoot" to Greenport. Buy your round trip tickets from the conductor and enjoy a ride through some of the prettiest, diverse agricultural communities this side of Strasburg. Arrive Greenport at 12 noon and using your stamped Museum ticket from Riverhead (same day - two Museums for the price of one) visit our Greenport Museum and experience the numerous "fine" displays and exhibits on hand. Board the "Scoot" at 1:15 PM for the train ride back to your automobile in Riverhead, arrive Riverhead by 2PM with time left to visit the Aquarium, the Dinosaur Museum, late lunch or the Outlet Mall. If patrons want some nautical history as well, they remain in Greenport all afternoon until the 6:15 PM "Scoot" brings them back to their car around 7PM. There are many things to do while visiting the seaport.

The advantages to this promotion are many. The entire family can see both Museums, get a ride on a modern bi-level coach, and see some great countryside all in the matter of four hours. We don't incur the cost of running trains and our attendance is going up by word-of-mouth, advertising and patron happiness. Our gift shops are doing better. The LIRR is getting riders and revenue that helps (a little bit) keep the service alive. Everyone is a winner.

Our experience is we have to have SOMETHING running to keep visitors coming back. The G-16 trainset was a God send. Adults who rode the train at the LIRR Pavillion in '64 and '65 come back to ride it at Riverhead. They bring their kids and grandkids! We just dedicated a museum quality "O" gauge train layout since observing the joy and repeat attendance at the "visiting" toy train layouts during Railroad Festival. Last year we invited operating antique power to the Festival - a big hit, this year we are expanding that exhibit.

Our statistic is a one third increase in Museum attendance. If you can "afford" to "run" it, go for it. If it does not work to increase your attendance you can always "scrap" it! [Figuratively that is, don't get the torch out! :-)]

de Don, n2qhvRMLI