Railfan input needed!

[Anonymous]

We use 12 passenger vans but limit the passenger count to no more than 8. Our storm chasing tour vans are equipped with on-board live doppler radar feeds and all the latest chase gear and radios. Our vans also are equipped with DVD entertainment centers. Busses would simply be to dangerous in high winds associated with severe storms, not to mention the tiny roads in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. We are one of the few Storm Chase Tour companies that are fully insured with the newly required DOT $1.5 million coverage. I have begun a webpage that will be available in a few days at
www.photoexpresstours.com
Photo Express Tours is a division of Tornado Express Tours LLC,
a Las Vegas NV corporation.
We are owned and operated by 3 television Meteorologists and a Professional Storm Chaser with over 20 years experience.

[SSW9389]

Several years ago I corresponded by email with a man who had a railfan tour business set up in Northern Arizona. I don't think he made much money at it, as he has moved on to another job. He was a college student and did this part time in his spare time.

I plan my own trips and have for over 30 years.

[Modelcar]

tour guide....Interesting idea. One never knows how many fans may be out there and many would probably like the idea of someone else doing the planning and driving, etc...Personally, I want to be in control where I go but I'd bet there may be a customer base out there for your idea....Just have to figure a way to get to them and let them know your service exists. I too am an original Pennsylvanian and also have a niece living in Meadville, the site of the Museum you speak of.

[daveklepper]

What kind of ground transportation do you provide on your Tornado chasing? A bus I presume. Is it a garden variety bus or do you have special provisions like decent rest rooms and a wider aisle with two and one seating and special sightseeing large windows? If people pay first class prices, especially overseas visitors, they may expect something better than the usual.

[MP57313]

I like dldance's comments -- if you could get access to something "rare" or "hidden" that would add to the appeal of this trip. Instead of storm tracking radar you could have scanner(s) on board.

A couple of years ago I went on a local "historic" version of a trip like this, tracing remnants of the Pacific Electric on the west side of Los Angeles. The trip was run by the ERHA (www.erha.org); they even chartered an early 60s intercity bus for the trip. We went to see an old depot, track remnants in pavement, historic photo locations, etc. It was well worth it.

[Anonymous]

Having a private train would attract me too! But I would imagine that getting permission to use the tracks might be a little tough! Especially with traffic so heavy ! We would spend all our time on a siding in the middle of nowwhere!

[eolafan]

Here's an idea that would certainly attract me and likely many others. Have a private train as your transportation that could run from point to point and stop whenever you might have something to see or a place to tour and offer cab rides for your customers. THAT would be really cool.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tour guide

Hi all! I am a longtime railfan, having grown up on the Southern mainline in Virginia. I own a tornado tour company that takes "storm adventurers" out to see tornadoes up close. Last year while chasing Kansas, I found myself standing along a line in the middle of nowhere when out of the stormy murk, comes an old GP 30 under the Cimmeron Valley flag. It occurred to me then, that there might be a market to take railfans out to chase the UP mainline across the west, visit the old depots and hit the rail museums. So heres your chance to contribute your two cents. Do you think there is a market for a tour of the old west's rail history and future?? Would you be interested in a trip like this? Leave the driving to someone else, sit back and enjoy the scenery and rub elbows with fellow train nuts! Post your thoughts and any ideas here and I will check back often. Thanks!
Steve
Tornado Express inc.
www.tornadoexpress.com

i like those ex-drgw GP30's

[dldance]

one attractive aspect of railfanning that a tour operator might be able to provide is access. If you could get access to areas, equipment, facilities, etc. that the average railfan could not get into - that would be very attractive. Tornado chasing is about spotting rare events. Can you identify and locate rare equipment - especially if it is still in use? Could you get me into the cab of a locomotive on a short-line?

dd

[Anonymous]

Ok heres an idea for you all...you tell me what you would like in a tour like this. Figure 6 days available, working out of Wichita Kansas. What museums would you like to see? Any favorite spotting places? Railyards? How about depots? I know Liberal Kansas has the old Rock Island Depot fully restored and is the centerpeice of town. You tell me. Design a dream train chase trip in the west! Any favorite places to eat out there? What about tourist shortlines?

[Anonymous]

Ok, we are still in the "set up" mode for this adventure so thats why I am asking all you guys for imput. Our storm chase tours include the motel room fees, last 6 days, work our of OKC and Omaha, run about $1600. But we have some overhead that will not come into play with railfan tours. Some of our expensive radar gear will not be involved with train chasing. With the storm tours, clients fly in to OKC from distant cities, and this may or may not be a factor in this new endeavor. While chasing last year in Kansas, I was amazed at the level of heavy freights that were chugging across the plains. I did not know that rail traffic was back to that level in this country. To an easterner, all we ever here is that rail traffic is dying and that we ought to rip up the tracks to make room for condos! LOL. Makes me think the rail industry needs a new PR firm! In Kansas, I saw freights running only 1/2 mile apart on the mainline and with trains stacked up in the hole all over. And it looks like UP is adding a new line next to the old??? It seems to be a good time to witness the re-birth of the American rail system.!!
When is the last time you heard of an eastern railroad adding a line ? On a side note....I live in Pennsylvania, and here in the home of Erie Railroad, they announced just yesterday that they will build a new rail museum from scratch and it will house the archives of the E, the EL and maybe some of the old A& GW if they can find it. Some forward thinking railroad employee saved TONS of paper from the late 1800s to the mid 1900s and gave them to the historical society and now they will get a home of their own. This museum will be in Meadville and is planned to be on land once owned by the Atlantic and Great Western ( once the site of the largest in-door train terminal in the world)
and all is scheduled to be in place by next year for construction.

[mvlandsw]

What kind of pricing are you talking about?

[CShaveRR]

Done that!

Every year, for our church's auction, I offer a train-watching tour that includes Elmhurst, West Chicago, Rochelle, and (if there's time) Mendota and Joliet. I used to do it in the opposite direction (Blue Island, Dolton, and Porter), but that hasn't worked out too well lately.

From these experiences I've found that it's fun to take someone who knows little about the hobby, but is interested enough to want to find out more. I have written notes ready to go, pointing out the things of note that aren't going to change from one trip to the next, and I have some reference books and the scanner along. We make the trip, see the sights, and when the trains stop running, we move on. Generally, the show leaves people impressed (and, yes, I've had repeat customers).

I don't know that it would work for a fan to take knowledgeable railfans out on such a trip, because they'd want to run the show (OTOH, you might actually learn something you didn't know!).

You certainly have a good locale picked out, along the UP main line; it could keep you busy between storms. I'd suggest advertising it in your usual places and see if you get any takers. And have fun with it!

[jeaton]

Interesting idea. Suggestion. Run a classified here on Trains.com or in the magazine and see what happens. Sounds like you have the business in place, just a change in objective.

Good luck

Jay

[UPTRAIN]

Oh yeah, as for the railfan trips..why drive, ride Amtrak!

[UPTRAIN]

You're my kinda person, me and my dad go out all the time railfanning, or storm chasing, and sometimes, two at the same time. I remember back on April 24 of this year, we sat and watched a UP freight pull into town (Poplar Bluff, MO) and 45 minutes later we caught a glimpse of a twister that tore up part of Ellisinore, MO. Later.

[athelney]

Probably would not use it myself -like to plan my own trips to my interests - however it may appeal to railfans from overseas - ie - UK or Europe , even Australia - those with limited time and want a direction to go in .

[FThunder11]

That would be awsome

[Anonymous]

...it would certainly be a niche market.

Kinda curious to see how much demand there would be for something like this out there.

[Anonymous]

Hi all! I am a longtime railfan, having grown up on the Southern mainline in Virginia. I own a tornado tour company that takes "storm adventurers" out to see tornadoes up close. Last year while chasing Kansas, I found myself standing along a line in the middle of nowhere when out of the stormy murk, comes an old GP 30 under the Cimmeron Valley flag. It occurred to me then, that there might be a market to take railfans out to chase the UP mainline across the west, visit the old depots and hit the rail museums. So heres your chance to contribute your two cents. Do you think there is a market for a tour of the old west's rail history and future?? Would you be interested in a trip like this? Leave the driving to someone else, sit back and enjoy the scenery and rub elbows with fellow train nuts! Post your thoughts and any ideas here and I will check back often. Thanks!
Steve
Tornado Express inc.
www.tornadoexpress.com