[PRCo] Re: MUSEUM MUSINGS-Thomas

[John Swindler]

>Bob Rathke mentioned:
>
>IRM starts selling tickets for the Thomas weekend, several months in
>advance, and it's usually sold out by the end of July.   Besides the
>immediate income potential, part of IRM's Thomas strategy is to acquaint 
>the
>public at large with the museum and to give their children a positive
>experience that will bring them back in the future.
>
>However, if you're a trolley fan and want to leisurely ride and look at the
>trolleys at IRM, don't go near there on the Thomas weekend.
>
>Bob 10/24/01
>


This is a biased opinion.....

I was at Strasburg couple years ago and watched two small boys make a 
bee-line to a hands-on Thomas display.  Haven't seen such enthusiasm 
since..... well, can't remember when.  And the parents were happy.

Have since talked with some parents at church whose youngins' are into 
Thomas.  Kids enjoy Thomas stories, and the parents approve of the 
programing.

I am saddened that this is potentially a tremendous market that the railfan 
fraternity is, for most part, too clueless ... or even arrogant in some 
instances ... to attempt to attract.  These kids are our potential 
replacements.  There is no longer a 30-route, 500 plus streetcar system in 
Pittsburgh to generate future railfans.

As always, just an opinion

John

p.s.  PTM has an education program.  How many other museums have one.


>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>From: "Edward H. Lybarger" <twg at pulsenet.com>
>To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
>Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 6:43 PM
>Subject: [PRCo] Re: MUSEUM MUSINGS
>
>
> >
> > This promotion brings out a tremendous draw, which means you need a 
>place
>to
> > put all the people!  I believe the number Bob cites.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
> > [mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org]On Behalf Of Bob
> > Rathke
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 7:27 PM
> > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > Subject: [PRCo] Re: MUSEUM MUSINGS
> >
> >
> >
> > Don't hold me - just yet - to this statistic, but I believe that over an
> > operating season, IRM gets about 30% of its gate receipts from the 
>several
> > days each August when Thomas the Tank Engine appears there.  I can 
>confirm
> > this stat if anyone needs the exact number.
> >
> > Bob 10/24/01
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "ROGER Jenkins" <ROGERTROLLY at webtv.net>
> > To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 1:17 PM
> > Subject: [PRCo] Re: MUSEUM MUSINGS
> >
> >
> > >
> > > QUE. 2 : YOU NEED MONEY TO MAKE NEW  [sorry but cap key sticks]  
>battery
> > > box doors as old ones were too far bent out of shape to repair.  And 
>no
> > > I don't dislike steam engines but when funds are short for repairs of
> > > trolleys or steam , trolley repair takes a back seat at OERM .  tHOMAS
> > > THE TANK ENGINE is slated to come to Perris in 2002 . So many people
> > > show up for it that facilities are taxed to the limit where it has
> > > appeared back east.
> > > ;
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>


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