[PRCo] Re: First outing for Rio 1758

[Dennis F Cramer]

The Open Car is about 95% complete.  It is not capable of running by itself
and had to be towed out by GR2 and we put it away with PWCT 66.  We left the
tow bar connected.  This will enable the volunteer workers to easily move it
in and out of the shop building as needed.

As far as the connection to Pennsylvania, the car is of Brill design.  It
was built in Brazil.

PRCO 4398 was used for over half of the operating day and we had minimal
issues.  Over 300 people experienced the Trolley Display Building on Sunday
(3 different tour times).  A great day, even though it was over 90 with high
humidity.

Taking the comments by Fred about what people want to see and reflecting 
from yesterday (I was the Dispatcher at Trolley Fair)  Most people walked 
right past the Open Car once they found out it was not moving.  We had 
several volunteers stationed to answer questions and interpret the car, help 
people on and off and let them pose for pictures.  The most use it got was 
for the museum members not involved in anything to sit and visit.

People would ask me when the Open Car was going for a ride, and when I told 
them it was not moving, their attention turned quickly to getting a ride on 
a trolley.  It did not matter what the car looked like or where it was from, 
they wanted to go for a ride.

The official numbers are not in, but I was told we sold around 600 tickets 
yesterday and 2 comps were given to every Classic Car owner.  There were 
also many museum members on site.  Why did people come in droves?  Many 
things to do at one stop (check out the museum home page before it is 
changed) and it did not rain.  Quite a few people were impressed that the 
trolley ride, TDB tours and locomotive rides were included in the price of 
admission.  They thought they were paying to see classic automobiles.

Car shows are huge in western PA.  Look at any local paper and see the 
number of shows and cruises that happen.  PTM is wise to use this and the 
truck show as a draw.

The next major event is the end of July.



          Dennis F. Cramer
http://home.windstream.net/dfc1