Santiam Excursion Trains is rolling out a new service on its tracks in Sweet Home, one which will focus on health and the beauty the city has to offer.
In addition to the variety of train ride experiences between Lebanon and Sweet Home it offers, Santiam Excursions is about to launch a summertime Rail Bike Adventures in the gateway of the Santiam playground.
The railroad company tested out a soft opening of the excursion on March 22, which allowed some guests to try out the rail bikes for the first time.
Rail bikes provide customers a chance to pedal their way on specially made four-wheel “bikes” that run on railroad tracks. Operating somewhat like an electric bike, the rail bikes have battery-operated motors to assist the pedalers, if needed.
“They’re going to bring in those ‘weekend hikers’ that want a little exercise and a little adventure, but also the people who might want to do that but also want to use a little assistance from the motors,” Director Nancy Randall said.
Pedalers will get situated on their reserved rail bike at 18th Avenue and enjoy a scenic ride along the tracks until they reach Poplar Street behind Foster Elementary School. There, they can walk to Foster Dam for a 10-minute break while Santiam Excursion staffers turn the bikes around for the ride back.