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The Talyllyn in trouble ?

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by Baldwin, Jan 11, 2013.

  1. ellisteph12

    ellisteph12 New Member

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    I can assure you what needs to be taken seriously is, luckily one of the TR traits that I do know exists is that people have time to be critical and serious but also lots of time to be friendly and reflect that this is a hobby that we all enjoy.

    As suggested a few times throughout this post, this thread is titled 'Talyllyn in Trouble?', is it in trouble and on the brink of collapse? No. I have tried to convince Baldwin and others of this, but have not been very successful. Is the Talyllyn perfect in all of its advertising and business model? No.

    Real concerted suggestions have come out and they will be taken seriously and taken forward, and I'm sure every member who has contributed here would agree with that.

    Happy Valentines Day - Steamy Valentines Day | Talyllyn Railway
     
  2. Baldwin

    Baldwin Guest

    ...I don't think it helpfull to discuss selling off locomotives and is the TR in trouble, i think it is and i'm not the only one. This discussion is being usefull in showing that there are ways that the TR can improve, it also shows how concerned people are.
     
  3. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    I think any comment about getting rid of engines was firmly tongue-in-cheek.
     
  4. ellisteph12

    ellisteph12 New Member

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    All I can suggest is a clash of sense of humours on the question of locomotives, perhaps one discussion saved best for a hostelry in Tywyn.

    As suggested, you are entitled to your opinion, and it is a shame you believe this to be the case.
     
  5. Baldwin

    Baldwin Guest

    I was wondering about this idea about having an old vintage bus that would pass by the beach and through the town before going to the end of the line for the passengers to be then taken back by train. The bus would then work back to the station the same way with passengers going in the opposite direction. What a great way to advertise the railway and pass the message, not only that but it would expand the territory of the TR without a great expenditure ! Moving on from this idea there could also be a way of joining up with the CR to do a sort of long round trip, a total day out in the region with the added benefits to restaurants etc etc, sounds good to me !!
     
  6. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

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    None of which will solve the key challenge that the TR faces which is that Towyn and Wales in general is no longer the holiday destination of choice for the numbers of visitors it once was.

    Time to figure out how to cut the cloth to meet the traffic on offer. A lesson that if learnt well will lead the way for lots of other places too.

    I'd say both views about the TR are correct - it is in trouble (some), but it will (probably) still be here in another 50 years. I certainly hope so anyway.
     
  7. VolunteerCoord

    VolunteerCoord New Member

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    The idea of a bus tour incorporating the Corris has been tried in the past, not much take up regretably. 21B sums it up nicely since 1976 the British public has opted to go abroad for holidays, leading to a huge drop in accommodation providers in the area and caravans ceasing to be available to rent.

    The TR is taking all possible steps to ensure that it remains for future generations. It cannot on its own attract visitors to the area which is the main issue. Tywyn is a remote hamlet in the far corner of Gwynedd, indeed when asked many have said "where the heck is Tywyn?" Visit Wales needs to do more to attract people to come and visit the Principality.

    The TR is raising its profile, but this all takes time, keep your eyes open over the next few months however, there will be lots of things happening. Why not have a look at the website www.talyllyn.co.uk which has details of train services and special events throughout the year.

    Look forward to seeing everyone in Tywyn and on the Talyllyn. Your fare will make a difference!
     
  8. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

    Agree totally

    P.H.
     
  9. Gwenllian2001

    Gwenllian2001 Member

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    Agreed but it is not a problem confined to Wales, just have a look around the many English seaside resorts that have fallen on hard times. As long as package holidays in the sun remain affordable, the problem will persist. We all need to be looking for a different clientele, particularly the active and well heeled retired. The Ffestiniog has done well out of this sector of the market which proves that there is spare money out there.
     
  10. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    thats surely madness....half the rail fare with extra expenditure on a bus and driver . (Sure, you may as well stay on the bus both ways!)
     
  11. Baldwin

    Baldwin Guest

    Madness ! The idea is to go and find customers elsewhere or who may not know the railway exists, this extra trade would be additional to what there is already. If the idea has been done before i for one would like to know how it operated.
     
  12. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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    Quick and dirty market research. Number of Google hits for a selection of railways (using the exact search strings listed):

    Welshpool and Llanfair Railway 391
    Lynton and Barnstaple Railway 1,520
    Corris Railway 1,810
    Vale of Rheidol Railway 2,720
    Bala Lake Railway 2,840
    Llanberis Lake Railway 3,310
    Snowdon Mountain Railway 6,650
    Talyllyn Railway 8,070
    Welsh Highland Railway 19,000
    Severn Valley Railway 22,300
    Ffestiniog Railway 29,800

    This would suggest that the Talyllyn name is already out there in the public's consciousness, well ahead of the L&B, VoR and SMR. I suspect that the average non-rail enthusiast, asked to come up with the name of a narrow gauge railway, would know the Talyllyn name and struggle to name any others.
     
  13. Baldwin

    Baldwin Guest

    Public or rail enthusiast ? Going by those figures it's difficult to see why the "public" would prefer one railway to another, on the other those figures make sense when looked at from a enthusiasts point of view.
     
  14. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    Whats to stop all the existing passengers using the bus though? If they do (or some of them, that will cut revenue whilst increasing expenses.(Thomas had the same problem with Bulgy I recall)
     
  15. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    I haven't quite grasped why people would only want to do a single journey to Abergynolwyn and then get the bus back anyway. I'm not sure why the TR would promote a service that allows them to collect a single fare and then pay for a bus to take people back down the valley. Doesn't sound very profitable to me.
     
  16. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

    Very interesting this. If reflected in the number of journeys, these Google results would see the T.R. carrying far more passengers than either the Vof R or W&LLR instead of around the same number. Who knows what the reason may be. Availability (or non-availability) of online booking may be part of it but cannot be the whole cause.

    P.H.
     
  17. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

    Any luck with online booking yet?

    Paul H.
     
  18. michaelh

    michaelh Part of the furniture

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    Perhaps they don't like what they see, and thus do not patronise the TR?
     
  19. VolunteerCoord

    VolunteerCoord New Member

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    The Talyllyn is busy with other matters at present so online booking is not high on the list for action. Changes caused by the HMRC decision to acknowledge the Comapny has a charitable purpose take precedent. On line donations are now possible, doubtless more on line possibilities will follow, if the business case for them can be proven. Does anyone have figures for cost of online booking v income generated, including initial set up cost of facility and ongoing maintenance costs per annum?

    The programme of track work is already planned for the winter of 2013/14, with much resleepering and ballasting planned to take place, the summer will see work conccentrated on drainage improvements and the construction of a number of revetment walls to assist ballast retention. The Railway welcomes any assistance with these projects, for details are on the website.
     
  20. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

     

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