Rail Explorers: Boone, IA Division — Attraction in Boone

Rail Explorers in Boone, Iowa: A Comprehensive Review

Nestled in the scenic landscape of Boone, Iowa, the Rail Explorers attraction offers a unique adventure that combines the thrill of outdoor exploration with the nostalgia of railroad travel. This innovative attraction allows visitors to pedal their way along historic railway tracks, experiencing the beauty of the Iowan countryside in a novel and engaging manner. In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into various aspects of the Rail Explorers experience, from its history and operational details to the visitor experience and the broader impact on the local community.

Historical Context and Concept

The concept of rail biking, which Rail Explorers has brought to Boone, is relatively new but rooted in the long-standing tradition of railroad maintenance vehicles. Historically, railroads used pedal-powered vehicles, known as "rail speeders" or "rail bikes," for track inspection and maintenance. Rail Explorers has modernized this concept, offering a recreational activity that is both eco-friendly and accessible to a wide range of people.

Rail Explorers was founded in 2015 by Mary Joy Lu and Alex Catchpoole, who saw the potential to repurpose abandoned or underutilized rail tracks for tourism and leisure. Their innovative approach has led to the establishment of several locations across the United States, with Boone, Iowa being one of the latest additions.

The Boone Location

Boone, a small city with a rich railroad heritage, is an ideal location for Rail Explorers. The town is home to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, which offers traditional train rides and has a museum dedicated to the history of railroads in the region. The addition of Rail Explorers complements these existing attractions, providing a new way for visitors to engage with the area’s railroad legacy.

The Rail Explorers route in Boone covers a picturesque stretch of track that winds through lush forests, over bridges, and alongside rivers, offering stunning views and a serene environment. This route is particularly special because it allows riders to experience parts of the landscape that are otherwise inaccessible, giving them a unique perspective on the natural beauty of central Iowa.

The Experience

Booking and Arrival

Booking a trip with Rail Explorers is a straightforward process. Reservations can be made online through their user-friendly website. The company offers several tour options, including daytime, sunset, and even lantern-lit night tours, each providing a different atmosphere and experience.

Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by friendly staff who provide an overview of the adventure ahead. Safety is a top priority, and before setting off, everyone receives a thorough briefing on how to operate the rail bikes, what to expect on the route, and safety protocols to follow.

The Rail Bikes

The rail bikes used by Rail Explorers are custom-built and designed for comfort and ease of use. They come in two or four-seat configurations, making them suitable for couples, families, or groups of friends. Each bike is equipped with a pedal-assist motor, which ensures that riders of all fitness levels can enjoy the experience without too much exertion. The pedal-assist feature is particularly appreciated on inclines and longer stretches, making the ride enjoyable rather than exhausting.

The bikes are also equipped with safety features, including seat belts and brakes, ensuring that the journey is secure and manageable even for first-time riders. The design of the bikes allows for a smooth and stable ride, with ample room to sit back and take in the scenery.

The Journey

As the journey begins, riders quickly find themselves immersed in the tranquil surroundings. The pace of the rail bike allows for a leisurely exploration, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos or simply enjoy the view. The route covers diverse terrain, from shaded woodland areas to open fields, each offering its own...

Terrible experience. We paid for what the website describes as "a custom-built electric assist motor that makes the experience truly effortless, even when climbing the steepest of inclines." Not the case. Our rail bike did not work for one second and was on manual pedal (570lb rail bike without passengers, mind you). They kept telling us that someone up ahead would get it working. Despite multiple attempts, it never did. Eventually, they hooked us to another rail bike that had to push us to the turnaround, taking away from the experience for the nice gals behind us and for us. At the turnaround, no attempts were made to fix it further. For the ride back, they had another rail bike hooked to us to push us back. And guess what? It stopped working immediately too. The couple behind us and my wife and I had to manually pedal the 570lb rail bike back 6 miles—not an easy feat. We had no choice as no staff were anywhere to be seen, and we were in the middle of nowhere. After about 2 minutes, we then saw the rail bike in front of us also quit working, so now three rail bikes in a row had to manually pedal all the way back. Not the effortless experience advertised. Finally, 2-3 blocks from the starting point, we encountered staff. I should mention there were four guides with us on a quad rail bike. Three of them were in the lead and took off, leaving us behind. Their rail bike had assist and seemed effortless. Staff told me to talk to the manager in the office, and he would make this right. The on-site manager said there was nothing he could do and that I needed to call the phone number, which was not open. First thing Monday, I called, and the gal on the phone was incredibly helpful, polite, and sympathetic to our experience, saying that it had been close to two years since one rail bike stopped working, never three. She told me I would be issued a refund and a credit for a ride to try it again and get a better experience. She stated she had to put me on hold for just "a minute or two" to get it approved. Turns out they did not approve it, and I would have to wait until the next day for the manager to call me. She assured me they would call the next day. The website says phones are answered 9-5, no time zone. I called at 4:30 CST (same time zone as the Iowa Boone Rail Explorers), and there was no answer. The manager never called. No refund, no credit. So, if you want to almost kill yourself pedaling 570lbs manually, pay for that terrible experience, and then have the company not bother to follow up, then you should definitely give this a try. If you are looking for "a custom-built electric assist motor that makes the experience truly effortless, even when climbing the steepest of inclines," fun, or any enjoyment, I suggest you skip this experience. To prove my point, I have shared a video of both my rail bike and the girls in front of us. The round black object on the back is the motor, and it should be spinning to propel the rail bike anytime the right-hand person is pedaling. You can see clearly that is not happening on the two that I videoed.

Update: the manager called and finally offered a credit to try this again. I instead insisted on a refund, even if free I would not...

Positives: Safe, comfortable, fairly accessible, clean, good views, active activity Negatives: Super loud, weather dependent, heights involved, pricey

Super cute activity! I went with my mom and we both had a great time. We booked ahead and got a 2 person cart but there were 4 person carts available as well. We saw all ages, from kiddos to retirees and everyone was having a good time. The carts are power assisted with a "driver" seat that activates the assist motor when pedaling and a hand break for slowing. It requires minimal effort to pedal, so it is super user friendly. They even have adjustable seats and booster seats for kids.

The staff was fantastic and made the processes very smooth. We had to wait outside while the last group returned before we could start, which was no problem on a beautiful day. We were lucky with cloud coverage, but the next group was less lucky and had to wait once the sun had come out. There is a trendy waiting area with picnic tables and a selfie spot, but if it were raining or sweltering it might have been less enjoyable. They had an airconditioned bathroom trailer which was amazing and a small shop to buy water or souvenir.

We brought a speaker and a lunch box which I would highly recommend. (Along with sunscreen and bug spray.) Half way through the experience, you get off the rail and sit at the turn around point. This is a great time to have a snack. There are no bathrooms at the half way point, but it is only an hour out and an hour back. The staff gives many reminders to go to the bathroom before leaving. They have a cart that goes out in front of everyone and helps at road crossings. There is also a following cart to ensure everyone makes it without a hitch. They turn all the cars around for you while you sit and watch the river. The ride out and back is filled with trees and beautiful views. If you are afraid of heights, the bridge may be a bit scary. The staff helps you take pictures before the bridge and give clear instructions when to go. They time each cart out so you aren't stuck behind anyone or dependent on their speed. It gave a private feeling instead of being surrounded by strangers as you could rarely see the car in front of or behind you.

This would be a super cute date idea, BUT it is very very very loud! Ear plugs for anyone with sensory difficulties might be a good idea. Even with the speaker sitting between us, we could barely hear it. I clipped it to my shirt in order to make out my music. I joked that if you had helicopter headphones with mics where you could hear one another it would be much more enjoyable.

I would say it was cool to try, but is a bit more expensive than I would be willing to pay to do again. (Unless they started providing headphones with mics to hear your...