@mlavender480 posted:EBT is and will be popular, but I don’t see it putting a dent in Strasburg’s ridership. It’s in the middle of nowhere with nothing else around; Strasburg is in the middle of PA Amish country. Besides, the two coexisted for many years in the past...
I agree, Strasburg has been much more family oriented and is a popular weekend destination for non-railfans because of its proximity to Lancaster and the tourist spots in Amish country. Strasburg/Lancaster is often on the "top-ten day trips" for the Philadelphia Area. The Wilmington and Western is closer to Philadelphia than Strasburg is but doesn't get the same ridership; people like the Strasburg experience.
Not that EBT doesn't get non-railfans, but the area doesn't give tourist the same experience as Amish country does for people visiting Strasburg. Plus Strasburg offers first class, dinning car, the wine and cheese train in the summer, and other amenities that EBT doesn't. Strasburg has truly done a nice job building the experience surrounding the railroad for both railfans and non-railfans; people come and bring their kids, who 20-30 years later bring their kids. My parents brought me to Strasburg because my grandparents brought them.
I'm very excited to visit EBT once it's up and running again. I hope I did not come off as critical towards their operation, it's truly one of a kind and a really good experience; however I don't see it effecting Strasburg at all. It might even help Strasburg a little as out-of-the-area railfans now have two cool spots to visit that are only about two hours apart.
