by Karl Sakas on October 29, 2008
In the 1960s, Earle Gil of the Morris County Central Railroad burned used motor oil in his 2-8-0 and 0-6-0 steam locomotives. After all, why pay for bunker fuel oil when you can collect crankcase oil for free? This wouldn’t meet today’s EPA standards, but it sure cut his fuel expenses.
With good coal at $250 a ton and diesel fuel briefly receding from $4 per gallon, you know how expensive it is to run a heritage rail operation–whether you have a coal- or oil-fired steam locomotive, an aging diesel engine, or a thirsty railcar generator. Class I railroads can afford fuel hedges to protect against rising diesel prices. You don’t have that flexibility, but you can steal another Class I technique: give out gas cards to reward fuel efficiency. [click to continue...]
by Karl Sakas on October 22, 2008
Do members of the public keep climbing on your railroad equipment? Visitors risk hurting themselves, and we risk a big-dollar claim against our liability insurance. We all have “Don’t Climb” signs, but they don’t keep the most persistent visitors from climbing up. Maybe your warning signs should explain “Why not.”
There is a large duck pond at the Public Garden in Boston, Massachusetts (popularized in 1941’s Make Way for Ducklings). Families often bring food for the ducks, geese, and swans. The problem is, feeding the waterfowl leads to overpopulation, and this eventually leads to public health problems from bird droppings. What’s the city’s solution? [click to continue...]
by Karl Sakas on October 15, 2008
Are you taking advantage of opportunities to gently “upsell” your passengers and visitors? Just as cashiers at McDonald’s restaurants used to ask “Would you like fries with that?” you can increase your average sale by offering additional services to your heritage rail customers.
- For railway museums, offer extra-fare events for your members, such as the Cultured Coast program at the Coastal Heritage Society (Roundhouse Railroad Museum). For birthday parties, offer a train-themed decoration package (plates, tablecloths, streamers) for an additional fee.
- At tourist railroads, sell a boxed lunch or a history pamphlet. If you sell cab rides or “Engineer for an Hour” programs, offer an add-on photo or video package. Every railroad charges extra for parlor car seating, but are you charging extra to sit in the caboose or your open-air car? Those are unique experiences, too, even if they’re not in a cushy lounge.
- For scheduled excursions on your private railcars, sell overnight on-car accommodations to passengers (as the Hickory Creek does with its Century 100 Limited Members). Customers are already going to pay for a hotel–why not let them enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience overnight Pullman service? [click to continue...]
by Karl Sakas on October 8, 2008
What if you could sell more seats on this year’s Santa trains, without exhausting your current Santa actor or volunteer? If you’re using just one Santa Claus, you’re missing a big opportunity.
Most kids want a photo, and many want to share their wish list. As you’ve seen each year, it takes Santa a while to get through the entire train. Are you selling fewer seats than you could because your Santa can’t get through the whole train?
It’s time to recruit (or hire) another Santa. [click to continue...]
In the 1960s, Earle Gil of the Morris County Central Railroad burned used motor oil in his 2-8-0 and 0-6-0 steam locomotives. After all, why pay for bunker fuel oil when you can collect crankcase oil for free? This wouldn’t meet today’s EPA standards, but it sure cut his fuel expenses.
