Trains LIVE: Ridin’ the Rail Gliders — 2-15-2023 — On tourist railroads, railcycles are gaining in popularity. These human-powered, peddle-driven cruisers offer a relaxed way to travel the rails while exercising as if on a recumbent bike. As the Colebrookdale Railroad of Boyertown, Pa., found out, all railcycles are not created equal. Then again, the Colebrookdale Railroad railcycle program is unlike other programs and needs a different breed of equipment. Trains LIVE explores ridin’ the Rail Gliders.
Located about an hour northwest of Philadelphia, the Colebrookdale Railroad not only seeks to preserve and operate its historic rail line and equipment, but plans to play a role in community and economic development for their home — Berks County. Enter the railcycle program. The railroad began the program not only to attract additional patrons, but as job and life skills training, and an exercise opportunity for those on the autistic spectrum. Everyone wins — patrons enjoy the railcycle trip through Secret Valley, the railroad realizes extra revenue, and those on the spectrum receive training and help run the program.
One significant challenge came into focus — the first railcycles were not up to the rigors of the Colebrookdale program. Colebrookdale’s solution to the challenge was simple: Design and manufacture a new railcycle to their specifications. Thus, the Rail Glider, a whole new breed of railcycle, came to be. The railroad not only developed the cycle, but they manufacture them as well. The program has created additional job and training opportunities in the community, given the railroad the vehicles they need, and created an additional revenue stream. The Rail Gliders program has even advanced to the point where they are taking orders from the general public.
Come along. Trains LIVE is ridin’ the Rail Gliders.
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Trains LIVE is a regular video segment, recorded live and unscripted from Kalmbach Media. The series began in July 2022.
Trains LIVE features Bob Lettenberger, Trains associate editor, Kalmbach Media staff, and guests talking about railroads and trains in a casual, behind the scenes format. On Trains LIVE we will ask the questions you would like to ask and take you into places not normally open to the public. Trains LIVE also takes you on the road to museums, trackside locations and other railroad-related venues. It is unscripted and presented every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. Central time.
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