Tourism-based economy possible

National Railroad Hall of Fame could draw big crowds

Sunday, July 10, 2005

By JOHN R. PULLIAM

The Register-Mail

GALESBURG - This city has a rich history. Railroads are center stage in Galesburg's past, present and future. Combined with a number of other attractions, there is a feeling among some that tourism can become a player in Galesburg's rapidly-changing economy.

Unless something unlikely happens, such as a theme park being built here, Galesburg will never draw the 7 million people annually that Branson, Mo., attracts and is not going to displace Orlando, Fla., as a tourist destination. Once the National Railroad Hall of Fame opens, however, crowds of as much as 10 times - or more - are possible compared to the numbers of most current attractions here.

The Hall of Fame has the potential to be a destination. Steve Holden, the site interpreter at the Carl Sandburg Historic Site, said most of the visitors there visit the homes of writers, people from North Carolina, where the National Park system oversees Sandburg's home, or motorists who saw the highway sign.

Mike Godsil, the president of the Galesburg Railroad Museum board, said the museum has visitors from locales such as Kentucky and New Orleans, but he thinks most visitors from some distance are here visiting friends or relatives who take them to the museum.

Even the Welcome Center has benefited from its sign on Interstate 74. Diane Bruening, the executive director of the Galesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the center had a 400 percent increase in tourists stopping by after the sign was erected.

The National Railroad Hall of Fame has the potential to be different, however, a true national tourism destination. Railfans are known for the intensity of their interest. The rail Hall of Fame here could become comparable to what the Baseball Hall of Fame is to Cooperstown, N.Y.

Railfans and tourism
A 9-year-old study projected attendance figures of between 75,000 and 200,000 annually at the Railroad Hall of Fame. Executive Director Eric Hanson said the board is looking at attendance figures at attractions surrounding Galesburg to get a feel for how many people may visit the Hall of Fame.

Hanson said John Deere Commons in Moline, Bishop Hill, the Putnam Museum and IMAX Theater in Davenport, Iowa, and Lakeview Museum in Peoria all draw between 100,000 and 200,000 people. Organizers of the Railroad Hall of Fame feel it is well situated to draw comparable numbers.

In addition, the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library in Springfield drew 100,000 visitors in the first two months after it opened. Hanson feels some of those people may also make their way to Galesburg.

In fact, Hanson thinks the numbers will be great enough for tourism to be an economic development tool in Galesburg, drawing visitors from across the country, and more visitors to existing museums.

"I certainly hope so," Hanson said. "I approached this as an opportunity for development for our city. We've looked at this as a region. We are well positioned, right in the middle" of a number of institutions drawing 100,000 to 200,000 visitors annually.

"It's a national hall of fame," he added. "I would hope in the end we put together a facility that would do that. ... There is only going to be one (National) Railroad Hall of Fame and it's going to be here and that's exciting."

The comments of J. David Ingles, senior editor of Trains and Classic Trains magazines, offer some additional insights.

Asked during a telephone interview if railfans across the nation are aware of Galesburg, Ingles did not hesitate.

"Oh, yeah, yes," he said. "It is because of the history. Rest assured, Galesburg is quite well known for various reasons."

Ingles' book, Guide to North American Railroad Hot Spots, lists the 100 best places to watch trains safely. Including Galesburg, there are eight sites in Illinois. The book, published in 2001, includes a picture of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railyards, taken from Knox County Highway 10 bridge. Items of interest to railfans, such as approximate daily train frequency and radio frequencies are included.

Under the heading "Safety Considerations," Ingles wrote, "Many good publicly accessible viewing and photography spots ... ."

Ingles, who said he has been to Galesburg for "three or four" Railroad Days particularly liked the County 10 bridge as a place to watch trains, as well as Peck Park, near Lincoln and North streets, where the former BN line crosses the former Santa Fe tracks.

"I think that's cool," Ingles said. "There are so many places to take pictures. The whole city area is a natural. Thanks to being in the Illinois (prairie), it's very accessible."

This is the first year for the Galesburg Railroad Museum's new building. Built to look like a depot, the museum is a railfans delight, setting next to the main line of the BNSF Railway.

Not only does the Railroad Museum now have more room for displays, it has an impressive collection of rolling stock, including a steam engine, baggage car, railroad postal car, caboose and the Pullman Meath car, which formerly housed the museum and will be moved across the street to join the other rolling stock sometime this fall.

Godsil said it appears the new building is having a positive impact on attendance. While attracting about 6,000 visitors annually in its old quarters, Godsil said, "I know we had a thousand over the Railroad Days weekend."

Most of the current local attractions draw about 10,000 visitors annually. The National Railroad Hall of Fame, based upon projections of the organizers, could well draw 10 to 20 times those figures. The key? A national attraction based on Galesburg's biggest tourism draw - trains.

"As things develop in the next few years, we certainly think it will become a destination. Our goal has been to have (visitors) stay overnight," Bruening said. "I don't see tourism as the salvation for Galesburg. But, I do see it as a stepping stone to getting where we want to be."

She believes the Hall of Fame will increase the number of visitors at other sites here.

"Of the 200,000 that come, one-half are going to the other sites while they are here," Bruening predicted.

Annual attendance at Galesburg, area attractions
Discovery Depot 9,315

Galesburg Railroad Museum 6,000

Sandburg Historic Site 10,000 to 12,000

National Railroad Hall of Fame (projected) 100,000 to 200,000

Bishop Hill 100,000

Putnam Museum 209,000

Lakeview Museum 128,000

John Deere Commons 230,000

Source: Various attractions and National Railroad Hall of Fame