A couple who took their railbike tours to the US have returned for the summer holidays and say that since launching Rail Explorers in 2015, they now operate rail bike tours in five locations – Newport, Rhode Island; The Catskills, New York; Cooperstown, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Boone, Iowa.
The Echo reported in 2014 that Alex Catchpoole and Mary-Joy Lu proposed to use the 13km of abandoned railway line that runs between Bangalow and Byron Bay as a ‘tourism experience’.
After their pedal-powered rail carts failed to get traction here, they have found success overseas and say their business is booming.
Alex says, ‘Next year we plan to open two more divisions in the US. In the process, we launched an industry – there are now more than 20 copycat operators spread around America, bringing new life to old railroads and new revenue streams to scenic rail operations’.
A fleet of 150 railbikes
‘Rail Explorers now have a fleet of 150 railbikes – both Tandems (two-seaters similar to the one we had in Byron Bay in 2014) and Quads (four-seaters). During the peak summer seasons, we employ up to 160 people (approximately 30 per division plus bookings and support staff).
‘Since 2015, we have seen over 500,000 riders, and average about 30,000 riders per year, at each division.
‘Bookings are often sold out weeks in advance’.
‘The technology of the railbikes has also come a long way – each is now fitted with an electric-assist motor to help pedalling uphill’.
Alex told The Echo that coming back to the Shire and seeing the railway all overgrown and unused, ‘has brought back many memories and many moments of ‘What if…?’
Overgrown tracks
‘We still dream about bringing this amazing experience to the rails in Byron Bay, and it is heartbreaking to see the track so overgrown and neglected when Rail Explorers could have brought it to life. For the past seven years, it could have been attracting visitors to the area, creating jobs and generating revenue for the community’.
Both Lismore City Council and Tweed Council are in the process of creating rail trails on their section of railway, which has seen the rail line covered with road base and concrete.
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