Can tourists save this town?

[wm3798]

http://www.wboc.com/story/23885712/volunteer-group-hopes-to-rejuvenate-unused-rail-tracks

This is a ball that's been kicked around since the late 90s, and probably longer than that.  The original idea was to reopen the line between Vienna, Maryland, and Hurlock.  It's the old BC&A, which was built in the 19th century to carry passengers and freight from Baltimore via steamship to Claiborne, thence to Ocean City.  The PRR took over the line in the late 20s, and abandoned most of the light bridges, creating a series of branch lines with connections to the PRR's better lines.

The Vienna line is actually still owned by Delmarva Power, which purchased it from Penn Central to maintain a right of way to its power plant in Vienna, should it ever be returned to being coal fired.  That's not likely to happen, and in the last couple years, DPL actually scrapped the line, pulling the unused rails all the way into Hurlock.  The tourist line might have been viable, as Vienna is a quaint waterfront town in its own right, and is located directly on US 50, the main drag to the ocean resorts.  But that's pretty much off the table now.

So the the tourist train enthusiasts have turned their attention in the other direction, to the 6 miles between Hurlock and Preston.  Neither town is very substantial, nor are they easy to get to from traditional tourist routes.  So, in essence, the train would go from nowhere to nowhere, and there wouldn't be much for the tourists to experience at either end.

That said, Hurlock hosts an annual fall festival that features a train ride to Federalsburg on the old PRR Cambridge Branch, and the train sells out almost immediately, and is packed for all of its 3 or four round trips.  But these are mostly local folk enjoying the festival, not necessarily out of towners coming in just to ride the train.

So I guess the discussion question here is, can a tourist train exist and thrive in an area that's not noted for its railroad history (like say, Cumberland, Durango, or Strasburg) that's fairly remote from the usual tourism destinations of the area (waterfront, historic towns, beach resorts) and further, could such an operation really have a positive impact on the two struggling towns it would serve?

Discuss...

[eric220]

I would say that it has the potential to work.  I'd also say that Strasburg is a good example of how to make it work.  It's a cohesive, well maintained experience.  There are also varying levels of the experience (coach, open-air, diner, parlor) for reasonable prices.  On top of that, the Strasburg may be the main draw, but there's also the RR Museum of PA ::makes the sign of the keystone::, the choo-choo barn, the toy train museum, the red caboose motel and diner, and various other local attractions.  If you're going to make a day trip for a 45 minute train ride, it's nice that there are other things out there that can consume some of the rest of the day.

[VonRyan]

It could be feasible as long as you have a very dedicated group of people to start the process.
The best example is the Talyllyn Railway in Northern Wales, the world's first preserved railway.
Tywyn is just a nondescript wharf town and the line goes to middle of nowhere, but the people who stepped up to start the preservation society were extremely dedicated and happy to do the hard work and make it what it is today.

If the word gets out beyond the local area and there are good photo locations for publicity shots, they will come.

If they wanted to lay more rail, they could always seek to have old rail and associated hardware donated and do an open volunteer weekend where people can have a stab at being on a track gang.

I belong to an informal reenacting unit called the 746th Railway Operating Battalion.
A friend and I had the idea for the unit to do something similar at Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association. The idea is that it'd be a way for the unit to better demonstrate part of its purpose and a way for 643 to get a longer run.

In regards to a tourist line, it would allow the public to get involved without necessarily joining the official volunteer group while giving the volunteer group a large base of manpower and a great deal of public exposure.

If they aren't connected to any active railroad, then they can also escape the FRA.


-Cody F.

[wm3798]

I guess that's exactly my point.  Strasburg has had a continuous steam operation for decades (if not centuries now!) and the RR museum of PA located there because of it, not the other way round.  These guys are in a cornfield, 2 hours at least from any metro area, there is not a substantial railroad heritage in the region (yes, there are tracks and trains, but none of it could be considered an attraction by railfans, much less garden-variety tourists).

They are relying on volunteer support, donated funds, and a wing and a prayer to try to create something out of nothing in the hopes that some day it will become a draw.

If it was me, I would try to tie the railroad experience to something unique to the Eastern Shore, and invest the money in a replica bay steam boat and a transfer pier, then worry about running trains later.  It would create a more authentic experience.  Unfortunately, neither town in the proposed route offers a pier.  (Denton, farther up the Choptank, on the other hand, does, and the old Steamboat Wharf has already been preserved).

Either that or they should concentrate on getting some authentic equipment, such as a gas electric car such as those that provided passenger service up to the end, or something else like that to make the experience more meaningful.

The two coaches shown in the video were picked up from the NW when they ceased their steam excursions in the 90s, and are about as interesting to ride in as a school bus.  They have zero connection to the Eastern Shore, other than that they live here now, and the route they would take is among the least scenic possible, passing such scenic wonders as the county landfill and a gigantic car dealer.

There's a whole lot more in play here other than "If you build it, they will come"...
Lee

[Dave V]

I would hazard to guess that very few of us have the economic background to make an objective prediction.

[davefoxx]

Well, the view can't be any worse than the mile-long train ride through the hood at the B&O RR Museum. 

[Philip H]

Well, the view can't be any worse than the mile-long train ride through the hood at the B&O RR Museum. 

1) There's this.

2)  Lots of tourist railroads in the south are off the beaten path of "normal" tourism, and railroad hsitory - the Reader RR in Arkansas comes to mind.  So location and view aren't necessarily the hindrances you might think.

In some respects, Mid Atlantic railroad fans have been spoiled by the Strasburg, Horseshoe Curve, B&O Museum, and even the WM Scenic.  All great lines of long standing.  But I'd argue that some part of the Delmarva deserves a railroad experience - since we know there is real railroading there.  If these folks are willing to really put the muscle in, they may well succeed.

Besides, the CRHS needs an outpost to store its growing collection in that's closer to the DMV  crew.-

[VonRyan]

I guess that's exactly my point.  Strasburg has had a continuous steam operation for decades (if not centuries now!) and the RR museum of PA located there because of it, not the other way round.  These guys are in a cornfield, 2 hours at least from any metro area, there is not a substantial railroad heritage in the region (yes, there are tracks and trains, but none of it could be considered an attraction by railfans, much less garden-variety tourists).

They are relying on volunteer support, donated funds, and a wing and a prayer to try to create something out of nothing in the hopes that some day it will become a draw.

If it was me, I would try to tie the railroad experience to something unique to the Eastern Shore, and invest the money in a replica bay steam boat and a transfer pier, then worry about running trains later.  It would create a more authentic experience.  Unfortunately, neither town in the proposed route offers a pier.  (Denton, farther up the Choptank, on the other hand, does, and the old Steamboat Wharf has already been preserved).

Either that or they should concentrate on getting some authentic equipment, such as a gas electric car such as those that provided passenger service up to the end, or something else like that to make the experience more meaningful.

The two coaches shown in the video were picked up from the NW when they ceased their steam excursions in the 90s, and are about as interesting to ride in as a school bus.  They have zero connection to the Eastern Shore, other than that they live here now, and the route they would take is among the least scenic possible, passing such scenic wonders as the county landfill and a gigantic car dealer.

There's a whole lot more in play here other than "If you build it, they will come"...
Lee

Certainly a whole lot more...

I agree that the riverboat experience would greatly add to it, as would a gas-electric car.
The more things and events that you get to involve the railroad, certainly the better for all involved.

If there are at least one or two good location for railfans to take photos, it'll certainly help to get the word out.

The idea of partnering with an organization like the CRHS is also an excellent idea. Allows the two organizations to help each-other. Plus, with the CRHS having two cabeese, that creates the possibility for added ticket sales since the idea of riding in a caboose can be quite an attractive idea to the public.


-Cody F.

[jnevis]

I will go out on a limb and say it would probably not do very well, partly for the reasons you guys have stated.  The example of both Portola and Strasburg don't compare as both have history and a "draw" on thier side while this one doesn't appear to.  Just because it's former Pennsy doesn't mean the general population really give a ...

The WP Museum in Portola has been hanging on by a thread for years as the economy has slowed they've cut back quite a bit.  They are in an area rich with RR history, and the city has an annual Railroad Days in August.  The Musuem itself is the former WP engine house and a good portion of the equipment that started the musuem was donated by UP.  There is a core group of volunteers that have been duct-taping and bailing wiring units for years, usually off duty UP guys that live in town.  They are almost constantly repairing/replacing track.  The biggest money-maker is the "Run-a-locomotive" program.  A small tourist line with no real "draw" would never survive a slow down like this one.  Portola is an hour from Reno and Tahoe but is still out of the way logistically.  They do have an advantage of the Tahoe area ski resorts to draw the non-foamers, since Truckee/Donner and the ski areas realtively close.  Most are headed through town to get to Reno. 

There is an impact economically for the towns invovled but would be almost negligible in the grand scheme.  They'd get the taxes and tourist's money, but there would also be an infrastructure improvement cost.  Improved roads and parking lots and signage would need to be paid for among other things.

[mu26aeh]

Gettysburg had a passenger train during the summers and around holidays.  Boiler exploded on one of the steam locomotives years ago, so that ended the biggest draw of the railroad.  After that happened, excursions were pulled by diesel locomotives.  Ownership changed hands a few time and with the last exchange, passenger service was ended.  If tourists couldn't keep it going in Gettysburg, I doubt they could there either.

[RockGp40]

This project and any funds received for it are doomed. Hurlock is a hole and Preston isn't much better. I love trains as much as the next guy but this really only grabs hold if the line is restored to freight service first. Maryland owns the line but hasn't shown it any love in a decade. But, our own Randgust is seen in one of the stories about this project.