I had an idea (Danger, Will Robinson!) this weekend. Thought I'd bounce it off y'all here before I suggest it at SCRM.

Has anybdy ever tried a singles train? I'm thinking we could hook the Mountain View to our SOU diner and do an all-reserved late afternoon trip for an early dinner (couldn't go thorugh after dark because of facilities problems, so an early dinner is required). We'd serve a catered meal in the diner, after which the riders could either stay put and socialize in the diner or go back to the Mountain View lounge. Seems like a natural to me, novel enough to attract a good variety of people.

The operational side of things is easy. The main problem I can see is getting enough females to make it worthwhile. It'd probably sell itself to guys. Has anybody out there tried anything similar? Anybody see any obvious problems I'm overlooking? Know any ideas for corporate partners to work with for such an idea?

Thinking outside the box is good. Probally not as bad as my Gambling train idea. BIG money in gambling.
You never know till you try. What's the worst thing that can happen? It fails! No big deal. Never know till you try. Makes for a different night out for people. Something you can't do every night. Advertised correctly it might do well.

Hey Matt - contact an existing singles group looking for outings and sell them one. Easier than building a new singles organization from the ground up. If it goes well, you can sell them a series of holiday themed singles events.

I don't think of Winnsboro (or Gods forbid Rockton) as a hotbed of singles looking for things to do. You may have to go so far as Columbia, Raw Kill or Charlotte to find your audience.

Dave

The Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific (Roaring Camp) hosted a dance party train to cater to the local "music scene." This was a charter organized by an outside party and was quite successful. It attracted some "interesting" people, but from an overall business standpoint seemed like a pretty clever idea on behalf of the organizers. It suited the area, and probably got the most 20-somethings you will ever see on a single tourist train.

Perhaps you could try teaming with a local radio station. At least a couple of radio stations have single mingles in our area and from what I understand have more trouble getting guys out than the ladies. If you could team with a radio promotion you may solve the problem of getting the ladies out as well as gain a little free local publicity. You may want to check local radio stations to see which ones do these promotions and add your venue to the list.

John Bohon

I recall that Steamtown in Vermont used to host the group Parents without Partners back in the 1970s, another angle on the singles scene, which often involves children these days.

I was sort of thinking along those lines myself. The Cola market is pretty easy to tap, Rock Hill and its big suburb on the other side of the state line is harder (more expensive advertising).

I think I'm going to look into this on my own a little closer before I drag the rest of the Museum into it.

Years ago I was waiting on a cold February night for an RDC to be delivered at Passaic Jct., NJ. To get out of the cold we went into the Holiday Inn next to the railroad. There was a bar on the top floor so we went up there to be able to see when the car arrived. It happened that it was singles night at the bar - you have to fill out a "computer match" form and wear a number to get in. I had two women match my number during our wait. Let me assure you that when I explained why I was there and what I was waiting for they both promptly moved on!