This article was originally published on November 22, 2021 on The Restless Viking website.
Did you know that you can rent a four person railbike? I had no idea that there were such activities! When Chuck and I arrived in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania for a train ride, we found railbikes lined up. Jim, a railroad volunteer, stood ready as David drove the ‘train’ of bikes to the starting location for the two hour event. Customers clustered around the sign-in table. They were chattering with anticipation.
Jim
Jim has volunteered for Stewartstown Railroad for ten years.The Rail Bikes waited patiently on this damp October morning.
Jim shook his head, “When I saw these bikes, brand new, I knew they weren’t going to work.” He had artfully fixed the chain on each gas powered engine.
The gasoline motor assists the peddlers.The group of riders were instructed to all stop at the iron bridge and start their motors for the uphill grade.
I could see that “no-nonsense Jim” held an encyclopedia of knowledge and experience. His wife, Donna, knew of Jim’s skills and abilities long ago. When she read the Muddy Creek news article requesting volunteers for the Stewartstown rail line, she “voluntold” Jim to sign up. Donna joined the group as well and manages the giftshop.
David
David, the man behind Rail Riders of America, flies all the way from Vegas each weekend to run the Rail Riders program in Pennsylvania. It must be a labor of love! David explained that this is all new. “I started coming here this summer.” David smiled. “The first time it (Rail Bike Event) was posted, all the tickets were sold out in just three hours.” I reasoned that people have grown fatigued by the lock-down and Covid-19 restrictions, so they craved an easily-accessed, outdoor adventure. Riding the rails on specialized bikes has captured the interest of many.
David gave a safety briefing to the group.The Rail Riders of America’s custom-made bikes were first available in the summer of 2021. The novelty was enchanting to me. I found some other locations nationwide in addition to Stewartstown, Pennsylvania: Ft. Bragg, NC; Milford Track; Las Vegas Division; Rhode Island and The Catskills.
After seatbelts were fastened and engaging the brakes had been perfected,David offered to take pictures of each quad.
Ready to Ride
Jim stepped forward and released the hitches between each ‘car.’ Next he removed the orange chock.Then David led the group over the Stewartstown rail line.
The “bike train” separated easily into four person cars.The Iron Bridge
David had the group stop here and start up their gasoline motors. This would make climbing the inclined grade easier.
The Iron Bridge had been built fifteen years before the Stewartstown rail line in 1869.Riverside Peddling
The rail path led the group along a river through the countryside. The tracks cut through backyards which used to be owned by farmers. The 1883 proprietors had gladly ceased the rights to their strips of property so their crops could get to market by train more easily.
Five Forks Road
Next, the bikers traveled over the 1895 bridge built over Five Forks Road in Hopewell, Pennsylvania.
Ingenuity Continues
As the bikers crossed the iron bridge I was struck by how people today continue to create ingenious inventions to make life fulfilling. In 1869 this iron bridge had been constructed. Over 150 years later, Rail Riders of America have built an innovated method to enjoy this old-time treasure!
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