We had a disappointing start to the new season due entirely to the cold, wet and windy weather. Numbers for the first three weeks were down about 20% on 2015. We made up for this however with a bumper Easter! I expected the low numbers to continue in view of the very early date for Easter and the appalling weather culminating in storm Katie, however we were up on the 4 days. Our recently introduced Easter Eggspress on Easter Monday attracted 850 visitors which was almost at the same number as 2015 even though Easter was mid April and very sunny and warm.
Mid March, we ran our usual race trains on behalf of "Classic Hospitality" This year with 2 trains a day, we were completely full and we were told there was a waiting list of about 200 for some trains. So, with 2400 passengers over 4 days drinking their way to and from the races, it was an eventful week. As always, most (but not all) of the drunks were happy drunks.
Marketing Day on Monday March 21st has now established itself as an annual event. Over 150 people came from local b&b's, caravan sites, cottage renting companies, tourist information centres etc to experience the railway. Lots of good comments and lots of promises to recommend us to their clients.
On Easter Saturday, the author Christopher Vine (Peter's Railway series of children's books) was at Toddington signing his books. A successful couple of days and he has already asked to return soon.
And finally, if ever in doubt about our railway - have a look at Tripadvisor.
Colin Fewell
No comments:
Post a Comment