Experience the excitement and wonder of the railroad like never before

Boone, Iowa (July 7, 2022) – Rail Explorers, featuring pedal-assisted railbikes, announced today the launch of the Rail Explorers: Boone IA Division at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad on July 21, 2022. This will be the first location in the Midwest and the fifth location in the Rail Explorers portfolio. Rail Explorers Boone IA joins sister locations including, Las Vegas, Nevada, Cooperstown, New York, The Catskills, New York, and Newport, Rhode Island.

Rail Explorers' custom-built explorers are the latest development in pedal powered rail technology, and are the global leader in safety, design, and ease of operation. Rail Explorers are the founders of the railbike industry in the USA and pioneered this unique and exciting way to experience the magic of the railroad. Their heavy duty, commercial grade railbikes are the only all steel framed railbikes in America. This is just one of the reasons Rail Explorers are the industry leader in safety and customer service.

“Rail Explorers is excited to bring this unique, one-of-a-kind outdoor activity to the Midwest,” said Mary Joy Lu, Rail Explorers CEO.  “We are so excited to be partnered with the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and the history they have preserved on these tracks. A portion of every Rail Explorers ticket sale benefits the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad.”

The Boone IA Division will utilize a custom-built electric motor, the REX Propulsion System on each railbike.  This makes the ride truly effortless, ensuring the experience is enjoyable for all ages and abilities. Rail Explorers offers a Quad railbike, for up to 4 riders and a Tandem, for 2 riders.

The Rail Explorers: Boone IA Division is unlike anything offered before. This ride is for thrill seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. These pedal-assisted bikes glide along the railroad tracks, letting you roll effortlessly through the Des Moines River countryside. Visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the Des Moines River Valley, where is it is not uncommon to see a convocation of bald eagles along the riverbank. The ride's showstopper is the historic “Bass Point Creek High Trestle”, a 156' high, 750' long trestle with panoramic views of the Des Moines River Valley.  The 12.4 mile round trip tour will feature a half-way stop on the banks of the Des Moines River. Guests are encouraged to bring refreshments.

Rail Explorers Boone IA will create over 35 jobs, including 3 full time positions in its first year. "Along with the opportunity to attract visitors to Boone we are pleased to be able to provide job opportunities and economic growth to the central Iowa region," said Lu.

Key seasonal roles at Rail Explorers that need to be filled are tour guides and depot staff. Job seekers are encouraged to submit their resumes to the following links:

RAIL EXPLORERS GUIDE POSITION, BOONE IOWA

RAIL EXPLORERS MECHANIC, BOONE IOWA

The Rail Explorers depot is located at 123 10th Street, Boone Iowa, on the property of the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum which is one of the few museums in the world that allows visitors to view steam, diesel, and electric railroad operations.

Free parking is available at the Rail Explorers depot. Group, private, team building, educational and special topic tours are available.  

Prices average $40 per person. The 4 seat Quad is $160 and the 2 seat Tandem is $90. Iowa residents receive a 10% “locals” discount off the standard tour price Monday –Friday. Discounts are offered for groups of 10 or more.

For tickets, gift cards and information, visit www.railexplorers.net or call 877-833-8588.  Reservations are recommended.

About Rail Explorers
The inspiration to start Rail Explorers originally came from a scene in a Korean soap opera. Back in September of 2012, Mary Joy Lu (who started Rail Explorers with her husband Alex Catchpoole) was watching one of her favorite K-Dramas and became intrigued when she saw a strange contraption being pedaled along the railroad tracks. Mary Joy was so excited by this extraordinary looking rail bike that within 10 days she was on a plane to South Korea to meet with the designer and manufacturer of the vehicles. Mary Joy, Alex, and other Rail Explorers employees travelled back to Korea in 2015 to learn more about the unique business. Rail Explorers was then able to bring a fleet of explorers to the USA. This was the first time these rail bikes had been seen anywhere in the world outside of South Korea.

Rail Explorers operations began on July 3, 2015, in New York's Adirondacks and the response was extraordinary. Since that day more than 350,000 people have enjoyed Rail Explorers in the Adirondacks, Delaware, Rhode Island, Las Vegas, New York's Catskill Mountains and Cooperstown, NY.

About Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
The trains of the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum, a division of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society, wind their way through the picturesque Des Moines River Valley from Boone, through the old coal mining town of Fraser, and ends at the site of the former junction with the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway at Wolf. The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum, a division of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society is a non-profit, operating railroad museum dedicated to preserving the history of Iowa's railroads displaying thousands of Iowa railroad artifacts and memorabilia such as track equipment, toy trains, dining car china, timetables, photos, lanterns, and telegraph equipment.  

Liz Adelman

515-802-0603

liz@adelmandeangroup.com