Railroad Nation

Dispite passenger’s raving reviews, yet another tourist train will end it’s 4 year Dinner Train operation. Again with the slumping economy, tourist and scenic railroads are having a very difficult time getting passengers and riders to keep their operations afloat and reamain profitable. This is becoming an all to familiar trend and 2009 does not look to be any easier.

The City of Prineville (Oe.) Railroad has announced that it will shut down its Crooked River Dinner Train at the end of 2008, the Bend (Ore.) Bulletin has reported. The city-owned railroad is shutting down as it has become unprofitable.

The train has run since 2004, and offered the city a way to make money on its otherwise freight-only line. The city owns the line to provide a freight outlet to BNSF Railway’s Wishram, Wash.-Chemult, Ore., route.

City officials said the train’s ridership has been dropping since the fall.

“The experience on that dinner train is one of the best you’ve ever had,” said railroad manager Dan Lovelady. “Our comment cards raved about how good it was.”

The city council voted 5-0 to end the dinner train.

In still another sign that our economy is in a recession, major tourist rail operators are seeing an ever decrease in ridership and tour bookings. 

Trains Unlimited Tours has announced it is closing its operations owing to business downturns in a depressed economy. Speaking for the company, Ron Burkhard said TUT is failing to generate enough clientele in a recession economy.

The company is exploring a search for another group to operate two of its charters scheduled for next year: one on the Western Maryland Scenic, and another on San Luis & Rio Grande in Colorado. The company had originally scheduled 38 trips for 2009.

EDMONTON, Alta. - Canada’s VIA Rail Snow Train service to Jasper  is set to resume for its third season beginning in February 2009.

The Snow Train, which provides outdoor enthusiasts with additional service between Edmonton and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies, will operate begin service on  Feb. 6, 2009 and run through  April 12, complementing the Canadian’s thrice-weekly schedule. Equipment will include VIA’s domed Panorama viewing cars.

Additional information can be found at viarail.ca/snowtrain.

SMITHS FALLS, Ont. - Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Train has drawn more than 10,000 visitors to its stops already, a high number compared to past years, said CP spokesman Mike LoVecchio. The train, an annual CP production, raises money and food for food shelves in towns along CP’s line. (more…)

Look for updates on Tourist Trains and Excursion Train information.  To find more information on railway museums and rail photo opportunities,  see  www.ScenicRailExcursions.com .

Also look for listings of national railroad events and where to find the latest information and videos on the preservation of steam locomotives.

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