Re: Steamrail Board

["Stewart Findlay" <timepieces@ozemail.com.au>]

David wrote in message <01be987c$3bee6b40$0eb337d2@pentium>...
>To the Steamrail Board



Many thanks to David and others for their comments.

Yes Steamrail Victoria and its board does listen to constructive comments
and criticism, along with the survey results from our many passengers. The
board is usually made up of willing and keen volunteers who try to steer
Steamrail Victoria towards a path of prosperity. We rely heavily on advise
and good suggestions to sort out problems, improve and promote the services
provided to the public. I, along with others, do not believe the board
members have all the answers nor I feel that any one individual or group of
individuals has a monopoly on good ideas.

To this date there has only been two board members (now only one) who have
had regular internet access. I on the other hand have recently been
introduced to the Web and rarely get access to it. Maybe if these
suggestions could also be put in writing to the board via fax, mail etc.

The railfan industry is dying. Steamrail Victoria's market has never been
this area though we do try to cater for them. Our market is the general
public as Steamrail Victoria's policy is ".... to 'preserve and operate
examples of Victoria's railway heritage for the public of Victoria".

ALCOHOL
It is still with concern that I hear concerns about the sale and
distribution of alcohol on the trains. The board has supported the sale of
alcohol on trains as it is a service to many of our passengers.
    -  It also allows us to monitor and restrict sales to people who are
becoming
       intoxicated and with the no BYO policy full control of the liquor
distribution.
    -  The distribution and removal of offensive passengers can be carried
out under the
       strict liquor license act and with the OH&S rules.
    -  Additional income (e.g. $7000+ from the Mildura W/Ender).
It concerns me that there is still perceptions of alcohol problems, when
only to date one problem of behavior was found and that person was banned
for 12 months.
I quite like the idea of the dry area on the train and will suggest this to
the next board meeting.

SPECIALIST VEHICLES
Moorabool was a suggested vehicle for a lounge. We think alike! The popular
view for quite some time is to use this vehicle more often but until it is
fitted out as a dance or lounge car, as per required tour  then this will
not happen. It comes down to time (I.e. someone to arrange and manage the
project) and of course $$$$, the great curse of voluntary organisations.
  A second problem occurs with tonnage of the trains. Unfortunately its not
as simple as adding an additional carriage to a train. Moorabool is on of
our heaviest carriages and with restrictive load limits on most lines out of
Melbourne it makes it more expensive to run (either less passengers for same
overall tour cost or additional locomotives and carriages required).
  Yarra car was suggested. This carriage and others in the past have
experienced operational restrictions, availability problems or they were
simply cost prohibitive.    Steamrail Victoria developed its own sleeping
car train for the simple fact that it cheaper in the long run to own and
operate your own vehicles. The  Mildura V/T, Kulwin V/T attest to that.
Maybe Steamrail Victoria should look at building its own parlour car for the
future?

Marketing is one of our weakest points and with the proliferation of
mainline operators during the 1980's the market is becoming saturated.
Additionally there are these small time operators hiring equipment to run
trains and make a fast buck (good on them if they can) but at the expense of
not-for-profit organisations.

You'll be surprised by the level and source of suggestions in the past that
have embraced by Steamrail Victoria and I'm sure that this will continue for
quite some time. If anyone has good ideas then let us know. We look forward
to and help that may be forthcoming.


Keith Findlay
Secretary - Steamrail Victoria