SVR General Discussion

I organise social events for an industry wide professional networking group, thanks. Just booked up an activity for 18 people for £216. £12 a head where people will be able to purchase alcoholic drinks and food. Long way to go before we get to £200pp. @ruddingtonrsh56 and no I don't live in London but got charged 12.5% service charge there last month for a solo one course meal before catching a train home, so luckily not.

 

And after they’ve made their purchases how much will the bill per head be? £4/pint and £15 to £20 for a main course. So, £36 a head and up?

The point wasn’t that it wasn’t possible to go out for less than £200/head, but that it didn’t require extreme extravagance to get to that number.

 

All this talk of pub prices is rather missing the point about the cost to drive and fire a steam locomotive.

The first point in this case is that £800 seems like a realistic price - particularly, as per @Aberdare there is VAT to pay, so the railway's actual income for a day is only about £5,300. It's hard to see how it could be significantly cheaper given the costs of operating a railway. Imagining you could get double the length of driving for that price is cloud cuckoo land.

Secondly - as noted by @Pete Thornhill - it doesn't matter that most of us won't buy this service, nor that many people will look at the price and think it is out of reach. The experience only exists on one day, so the SVR don't have to sell tickets every day, they simply have to find 8 enthusiasts who will think the price is worth paying. It's the nature of luxury experiences that there will always be some people who are not immediately price-sensitive. The SVR just need to find 8 of them who have a big desire to drive a Stanier Jubilee.

Tom

 

I'd argue it does. I regularly go to stadiums and the costs of the ticket, getting there, buying food and drink there and before and after certainly does not equate to £200. Wouldn't be able to do it 30+ times a year if it did.

 

Wouldn't be able to do it 30+ times a year if it did.

No one is asking anybody to drive/fire a steam loco 30+ times a year. I for one think the offer is very tempting, and I am sure the SVR will find their eight enthusiastic takers to help out in these difficult times.

 

I think the point is everyone has a differing perspective on what is value for money when it comes to leisure experiences. Many photographers spend £1000's on equipment, football fans similarly on season tickets and travel, some of us spend £100's on railtours - others who don't share this interest (perhaps long suffering partners!), may think we are stark raving bonkers for spending large sums of money on something seemingly superfluous, but what will bring the purchaser a lot of enjoyment (... OK, maybe football fans aside!).
I personally wouldn't spend £200 on a night out I may not remember the following day, but yes, there are plenty out there who would and it is suprisingly easy to do. But I may spend £200 on attending a music event and accommodation.
Similarly, I do believe there are 8 people out there who are willing to part with £800 to drive a Jubilee.
Why? I would be one of them if I was wealthy enough to part with that sum of money!


I wish the SVR the best of luck and hope the participants have a fantastic day.

 

I believe it's selling well.

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Plenty seem happy to pay up to £150 just to take photos at a charter, or nudging £400 for dining on a mainline tour, Belmond even higher, although they seem to have no problem filling seats either.
Similar priced Britannia trips sold out quickly at Swanage.
Mard Bard no longer cost 6d you know

 

It wiil

The chances of driving a Jub are vanishingly small when you consider that this offering is very unusual (if ever offered) on the other 3 survivors.

 

For those that prefer not to use Facebook. <BJ>

50007 Hercules & 50049 Defiance.

''We are delighted to announce the return of our newly painted locomotives to our home on the Severn Valley Railway.
Friday, 9th August 0Z50 10:21 Eastleigh Works to the SVR https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/.../2024-08-09/detailed
Both locomotives have been under the expert care of Arlington Fleet Services at Eastleigh undergoing their transformation, back into largo logo livery after a very successful 5 year period in GBRf colours''

 

A not-terrible photo of me, I am surprised

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This looks like a good day out.

https://svr.co.uk/event/super-saturday/

Superb line up. [BJ]

 

The previously mentioned footplate experiences with 45596 have sold out.

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That’s the test on whether it was overpriced and it clearly wasn’t.

 

4566 100th anniversary this weekend with a celebration going on in the Engine House.
45596, 4930, 13268 and D1062 in use tomorrow.

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4930 replacing 2999? (2999 is still shown on the SVR main web site as I type).