There are two groups associated with the railbike movement, the people who offer cheap, lightweight kits for anyone to build and use, and the more established and regulated eco tourist industry.
At the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City (before I retired) we partnered with Rail Explorers, [
www.railexplorers.net] to offer guided trips on our railroad. Their trips were scheduled, operated under form B protection, and were successful. They held a significant insurance policy, staff was trained not only on customer service and bike operation but also were trained under FRA part 243 “rail safety employee” regulations. Rail Explorers have 4 locations. There are several others who offer similar rail tours, on the California Western, in Oregon, for a while on the reconstructed V&T as well as east coast locations. We talked to 4 different operators before renewing the Rail Explorer’s contract with the state of Nevada.
Independent “gorilla” rail riders (including rail bikes, speeders, pump cars or HiRail are a different issue… They have few or no rules, trespass and are dangerous, ‘ to themselves. While the light weight home made bikes might be 150 lbs, the Rail Explorer vehicals are 550 to 850lbs, have a pan to keep guest’s feet off the rails, chain guards and steel wheels (the light weight plastic/rubber wheels climb rails). While heavy, the rail vehicals with steel wheels on steel rails have greatly reduced friction, and a single rider can peddle up a 1% grade with about the same effort (maybe less) than they would on a 25 lb bike on a rubber tires on a paved path. Rail Explorers and other operators have installed electric assist, so there is even less physical effort required.
