Open House at Harmon Shops

Does anyone know if they will have the Open House at the Harmon shops this year?

I saw on wikipedia that it had been cancelled 09 and 10....

They are canceled indefinitly due to budget crisis.

Holding these open houses takes up alot of time an resources. Its ashame they arent doing it but money is eerything nowadays. Im so glad that I was able to go to 1 back around 99 or so. Ahh the memories

Unless I'm wildly underestimating how much it costs to run the open house, not having it for financial reasons is probably penny-wise, pound foolish. It's a great way to generate positive customer relations, both with current and future commuters and the taxpayer at large.

I think the same PR appeal can be achieved by once/year having the newest equipment roped off at a few busy stations. I bet it takes $100k+ of time to clean up and rope off and move equipment at Harmon Shops to prepare for the open house. Also, if you really want to grease some palms, you can take 5-10 elected officials on a tour at any time with 1-2 escort employees. No rope-off or equipment moves necessary. Give 'em a hardhat and walk them through.

Hmm how many railroads have open houses ??? ohh yeahh only MNCR I believe, I don't think MNCR or other railroads need advise on how to handle or fund them.
And no there still won't be a openhouse or show and tell..

Spuyten Duyvil wrote:..... It's a great way to generate positive customer relations, both with current and future commuters and the taxpayer at large.

I doubt your average day to day commuter cares to see something they already see five days a week.

Dutch and Everyone: I understand the MTA budget is tight and I thought of this:
Why not charge a nominal admission fee of perhaps $5 as a way of at least partially paying for this event?

I am thinking $5 for Adults,$2.50 for Children under 12 and $3 for Senior Citizens and an extra charge of no more then $3 for an optional Cold Spring Excursion Ride...

The admission tickets for this could even be included in the MNCR TVMs in the sections used for tours and attractions
and this could be a package ticket with RT rail fare and perhaps a small extra charge for the Cold Spring excursion rides
of maybe a couple of dollars extra be an added option...

This could be a way to keep what I feel is one of the best "Open Houses" by any rail company...MACTRAXX

P.S. EVERYONE: Note the extra text about the admission charge ideas I have added on Saturday 8/13...

truck6018 wrote:

Spuyten Duyvil wrote:..... It's a great way to generate positive customer relations, both with current and future commuters and the taxpayer at large.

I doubt your average day to day commuter cares to see something they already see five days a week.

+1

MACTRAXX wrote:Dutch and Everyone: I understand the MTA budget is tight and I thought of this:
Why not charge a nominal admission fee of perhaps $5 as a way of at least partially paying for this event?

The admission tickets for this could even be included in the MNCR TVMs in the sections used for tours and attractions
and this could be a package ticket with RT rail fare and perhaps a small extra charge for the Cold Spring excursion rides
of maybe a couple of dollars extra be an added option...

This could be a way to keep what I feel is one of the best "Open Houses" by any rail company...MACTRAXX

Maybe the reason people came was because it was free.

I don't believe that there should be any fall foliage excursions, it's regular equipment and trackage anyway. That should save a large amount of $$, as the workers are all volunteers (IIRC). The only cost would be shutting the shop down for a day and the shuttle buses.

The cleaning of shop, interuption of work and plaing catch up for a few days woul cost way more than anyone would ever collect.
Its not just volunteers it also includes those people scheduled to work that day, and which can not perform their duties that day.
plus huge amount of extra security by MNPD

With the times we live in and the MTA being broke for years to come, I doubt there will be any open house anymore..

Everyone: I thought of a price that would be comparable to the MTA Transit Museum and some rail museum venues such as the admission price to RMLI...

I do feel provided the admission price is not too steep that a large percentage of those attending past CRT open houses would still attend especially those in the rail enthusiast community...

I also think if that is what it must take to retain this event it will be well worth Metro-North's while in the form of good public relations for starters...

Thoughts from MACTRAXX

MACTRAXX wrote:I also think if that is what it must take to retain this event it will be well worth Metro-North's while in the form of good public relations for starters...

Thoughts from MACTRAXX

The people who go to the open are not the same who are regular commuters, so how does that help public relations?