Steam & Excursion > I have to wonder about Silverton

My wife and I rode behind the 482 in July, 2017.  My mother and her side of the family rode the Silverton narrow gauge back when it was critical transportation shortly after the turn of the century.  I can't help but believe it's as critical to Silverton's economy today.

JB - Omaha



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/22 16:35 by Copy19.

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It's also really fun to ride and see! Great photo!

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

Yep JB it is crucial to Silverton's economy.  I read where the railroad furnishes passengers that provide 70% of Silverton's  income in 4 months.

Silverton real estate prices are going thru the roof, the new residents not so much, prices have doubled i beleive

In 2020, there were no trains in Silverton all summer.  Apperently, Silverton survived quite nicely.

Earlk Wrote:
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> In 2020, there were no trains in Silverton all
> summer.  Apperently, Silverton survived quite
> nicely.
And how did you detrmin that? By talking to business owners and others who depend on the rail traffic for business or the fact those who live there are still alive?

Unique tourist railroads bring a tremendous amount of business to local communities they serve.  Over the summer in Marina we closed up one evening after the last handcar tour and went out to the local mexican restaurant down the street.  I was surprised to see five families from our previous tour eating there.  We were a small operation, perhaps bringing in 300 people a day, but if we had been larger the benefit would have been even more dramatic.  In talking to some of our customers I concluded that at minimum they spent an equal amount outside the rail operation.  Perhaps 25% spent even more by planning a longer trip, staying in hotels, and doing other activities in the region.  One customer told me he came for the handcar tour, but ended up spending $2000 more for golf, scuba diving, eating in nice restaurants, and staying in a nice hotel.

 

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com

BAB Wrote:
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> Earlk Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > In 2020, there were no trains in Silverton all
> > summer.  Apperently, Silverton survived quite
> > nicely.
> And how did you detrmin that? By talking to
> business owners and others who depend on the rail
> traffic for business or the fact those who live
> there are still alive?

I heard it from a guy who lives there....

Real question would be, "Did you come to ride the train or visit Silverton?", You can get to Silverton without the train but
would as many people go train or not?

Out 

Ouray' Telluride, lake city, gunnison, pagosa springs, all lost their trains doing fine. Lotta stuff to do in the region.   silverton is booming