Ever since I discovered a set of abandoned railroad tracks near our house in California in 1993, I’ve wanted to build a rail rider and go scooting along the tracks. That has never happened – and likely won’t -- but this may be the next best thing.
A company called Rail Explorers operates specially built rail cars on abandoned lines in several states across the country. During my recent deployment to West Virginia, I went to their site near the town of Elk River, about 45 miles east of Charleston where I was stationed.
Driving out on a warm, sticky Sunday morning, I arrived just a few minutes before the first group of rail riders was about to take off. The journey is much more organized than I’d expected.
Riders are given a briefing on how to operate the cars. Every seat, whether a two-person or four-person conveyance, have a set of bicycle-style pedals. Each car also has a designated driver’s seat and the person in that position controls the electric motor (called the REX propulsion system*) which provides an assist, the brakes, and is briefed on the hand signals used to let the car behind know when they’re stopping. The driver must be an adult; there’s no age restriction on passengers, though each must have a seat; children cannot be held on laps.
Riders go out in a group with the lead car staffed by a couple of employees who act as guides and have tools on board to deal with emergencies. They’re in touch with the employees who are riding in the rear-most car as well as at the base from which they depart. Crewmembers dispatch the cars at intervals to leave adequate spacing between the cars.
A company called Rail Explorers operates specially built rail cars on abandoned lines in several states across the country. During my recent deployment to West Virginia, I went to their site near the town of Elk River, about 45 miles east of Charleston where I was stationed.
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| Cars await their passengers |
Driving out on a warm, sticky Sunday morning, I arrived just a few minutes before the first group of rail riders was about to take off. The journey is much more organized than I’d expected.
Riders are given a briefing on how to operate the cars. Every seat, whether a two-person or four-person conveyance, have a set of bicycle-style pedals. Each car also has a designated driver’s seat and the person in that position controls the electric motor (called the REX propulsion system*) which provides an assist, the brakes, and is briefed on the hand signals used to let the car behind know when they’re stopping. The driver must be an adult; there’s no age restriction on passengers, though each must have a seat; children cannot be held on laps.
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| A two-passenger rail car |
Riders go out in a group with the lead car staffed by a couple of employees who act as guides and have tools on board to deal with emergencies. They’re in touch with the employees who are riding in the rear-most car as well as at the base from which they depart. Crewmembers dispatch the cars at intervals to leave adequate spacing between the cars.
At this particular location, riders go about six miles along the Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad, which opened in 1904 and hauled coal and lumber until 1965. Today, riders pass the Devils Sawmill waterfall, cross the rebuilt Sandfork Bridge and enjoy railroad history. The group stops once the last car has passed a turntable at a turnaround area, and passengers take a break to enjoy the snacks they’re encouraged to bring. Then, one by one, the cars are put on the turntable and turned 180 degrees for the trip back to their starting point.
Distance traveled and the length of the tours vary by location and the date of the tour. Other locations include Rhode Island; The Catskills (Phoenicia, New York); Cooperstown, New York; Boone, Iowa; Bluegrass, Kentucky; and Amador, California. Predictably, prices are often higher on weekends.
Rides are priced by the car, whether a two-person or four-person car. No discounts are given for unfilled seats. The price also varies by location and the tour chosen. Some locations offer a half-dozen or more different tours from which to choose.
Although there were two-person cars available on the day I visited, I was being bitten by mosquitoes as I watched the others depart and I had no bug spray with me, so I decided to wait for another opportunity. With grandkids living in Northern California, we may all find ourselves on cars at their Amador location, heading up into California’s Gold Country.
Honestly, I can’t wait!
Photos and Video by Carl Dombek
Click on photos to view larger images
Distance traveled and the length of the tours vary by location and the date of the tour. Other locations include Rhode Island; The Catskills (Phoenicia, New York); Cooperstown, New York; Boone, Iowa; Bluegrass, Kentucky; and Amador, California. Predictably, prices are often higher on weekends.
Rides are priced by the car, whether a two-person or four-person car. No discounts are given for unfilled seats. The price also varies by location and the tour chosen. Some locations offer a half-dozen or more different tours from which to choose.
Although there were two-person cars available on the day I visited, I was being bitten by mosquitoes as I watched the others depart and I had no bug spray with me, so I decided to wait for another opportunity. With grandkids living in Northern California, we may all find ourselves on cars at their Amador location, heading up into California’s Gold Country.
Honestly, I can’t wait!
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
* - Rail cars at the Rhode Island location do not have the REX propulsion system.
Photos and Video by Carl Dombek
Click on photos to view larger images
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