Steam & Excursion > Direct marketing from Northern Central RR

Somewhat surprised to get a phone call from a female "encouraging" my return to patronize this railroad, located on a former PRR mainline in York County, PA.
She assured me that Steam engine #17 should be back from Strasburg by end of September, and other attractions are planned for the fall.

I have heard thirdhand, and read on a well-knowm preservation forum, that there have been fairly large ridership losses on some tourist lines.
The NCRR has been hindered by the loss of their long-distance runs due to tractor trailers damaging a bridge at Seven Valleys last fall.

Northern Central Railway has great equipment, and they do an excellent job of marketing themselves and their special events, but it seems even the non-railfan general public is holding out for steam operations. NCRy is going to have a tough time until #17 returns.
Even railfans that may "tolerate" a diesel excursion, seem to be holding out for the Howard Tunnel excursions to be re-established.
/Ted

WM_1109 Wrote:
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> Northern Central Railway has great equipment, and
> they do an excellent job of marketing themselves
> and their special events, but it seems even the
> non-railfan general public is holding out for
> steam operations. NCRy is going to have a tough
> time until #17 returns.
> Even railfans that may "tolerate" a diesel
> excursion, seem to be holding out for the Howard
> Tunnel excursions to be re-established.
> /Ted
You are correct, Ted, with what you stated.  I am a supporter of the Northern Central Railroad and there is no doubt that most travelers desire a longer ride and that they need to address the Seven Valleys Bridge ASAP and get it repaired.  I do hope that they have insurance for this and that some of the tractor trailer drivers can be held accountable for the damages.  The ride through the Howard Tunnel is very historic and I personally continue to support their efforts to get the entire rail line back in service for their trains all the way into York, Pennsylvania.  This will be a decent ride and they can also market their trains from the York area to ride south.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

WM_1109 Wrote:
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> Even railfans that may "tolerate" a diesel excursion, seem to be holding out for the Howard Tunnel excursions to be re-established.
> /Ted

They just ran one yesterday to the tunnel and Brillhart, which I rode and had a great time.

-Mike