I was just reading an industry report for broadway shows and I was completely shocked by a number - “Super-attendees” who saw 15+ shows made up 8% of the audience but bought 40% of all tickets.

Do we have data of "railfans" / "enthusiasists" or whatever we call our "Super-attendees"?

Who is visiting our railroads, museums, buying tickets, etc.


Let's say the data was exactly the same (I know it's not, but let's just say...) - if railfans were 8% of your customers but bought 40% of your tickets each year... how might you change your programming and future plans?

The more common grouse--although most likely inaccurate--is that "railfans" are 8% of your audience and buy 4% of the tickets--because they supposedly chase and take photos without riding or buying tickets. I know some operations do have hard-core "regulars," but they stand out as exceptions.

There's always a lot of "been there, done that" with such experiences. Musicians and bands can vary set lists between venues, but Broadway shows and Vegas residencies are at least supposed to be the same thing every night.

I certainly didn't have to ride the EBT, the Strasburg, or the Wilmington & Western every time I went. By now, my only excuse to ride the Strasburg today would be to get a ride in the PRR sleeper-lounge Colonial Crafts while it's there. I rode the EBT every Fall Spectacular because I surmised (quite rightly, at least for a spell), that "this can't last forever....", and now my excuse is #16, new cars, supporting the RR, new trackage in my route book, etc.

British excursion lines make it a point to offer "new and different" every time you turn around--a "Victorian/Edwardian weekend," a diesel gala, visiting steam locos (think 261 at IRM or Steamtown, 611 at Strasburg, 3751 at Grand Canyon, etc.), Thomas, military weekend, etc. Most of our operations don't really offer "new and interesting" for railfans on any predictable basis.

yeah lots of thoughts in your reply -

I think most railfans enjoy both riding and chasing. If anyone has been on a steam powered excursion they can see with their own eyes plenty of railfans are onboard.

i do know that back when i worked in the industry i saw lots of the same people ride year after year and often multiple times in the same year.