WSR DOWN AS PREDICTED – BUT EPPING BREAKS RECORDS
West Somerset figures are “hardly surprising” because of winter shutdown in early 2019.
Last year was one of mixed results for Britain’s railways. The West Somerset Railway saw 26,705 fewer visitors compared to 2018, down 14% from 181,903 to 155,198. “While these figures may look a bit stark at first glance, this reduction is hardly surprising given the longer than usual closed period in 2019 and loss of the spring gala visitors and revenue, plus some uncertainty in the marketplace perhaps,” said a WSR spokesman. “We certainly need more people to visit us in 2020.”
He added that, despite a “disappointing” Christmas season, where takings were “well below what had been forecast”, in the nine months from April to December, the railway made “a decent profit of £615k.
“The WSR is now going through another three-month fallow period where costs will be incurred without any income. However, the railway is still not only on target to end the year in profit but also with cash balances exactly where they were forecast to be.”
It was a record year for the
Epping Ongar Railway, however, with 45,710 passengers carried – 3,906 more than the previous record set in 2018. Numbers were boosted by a successful Santa season, with over 16,000 people travelling on the EOR’s festive specials, while the line reported “strong attendances” at its special events throughout the year.
EOR managing director Roger Wright said: “Again, the hard work and dedication of the railway’s staff
and volunteers has paid off with these pleasing results. The results are part of a long-term trend of growth at the EOR.”
Despite the figures being down compared to the previous year, passenger numbers on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire
Steam Railway in 2019 were ahead of expectations. Over 125,000 people travelled over the 14-mile line last year, compared to 144,000 in 2018 – the year the line completed its extension to Broadway – but, said GWSR plc volunteer commercial director Graham Radband: “We expected numbers to be down a little after the excitement and novelty of running trains to Broadway for the first time. Nevertheless, we are very contented.”
The railway also enjoyed a record-breaking Santa season.
Another Great Western line which experienced a slight dip in passengers was the South Devon
Railway. 83,527 people travelled during 2019, down 1%. This was the second drop in visitor numbers in as many years, as 2018’s figures were down 15% on the previous year, when the line carried 97,600 passengers (SR489).
Despite this, “our revenue was up by £120k on 2018 and well over £1 million again, largely as a result of holding two Thomas events in the year, plus Sunday dining trains and successful Santa trains too,” said SDR PR & business development manager Dick Wood. Numbers held steady at the
Llangollen Railway, despite the North Wales line enjoying another sell-out festive season. LR general manager Liz McGuinness said: “Passenger figures for 2018 vs 2019 were very similar; our Santas sold out both years.”
Just over 143,000 people travelled on the Bluebell Railway, although comparing that figure to previous years is challenging, as “the figures were compiled in a different way so exact comparisons are not possible,” said spokesman Paul Bromley.
One railway which suffered a disappointing year was the
Ffestiniog Railway, with traffic an estimated 10% down on 2018. Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways general manager Paul Lewin described 2019’s traffic as “lacklustre”; FR Society chairman Howard Wilson added: “Unfortunately, 2019 has not been a good year for business on the railway, which has led the company
to consider where savings can be made throughout the organisation.”