New tourist attraction in Amador County’s Gold Country is a ‘special’ railroad experience

It’s been 119 years since the railroad in Ione and Martell was built to connect gold mining communities and move lumber among the Sierra foothills. But as of Saturday, that same historic railroad can be experienced in 21st-century fashion.

Not by steam engine, but by man-powered rail bikes.

“Any time you’ve got something unique, it’s going to draw people,” said Brad Barnard, executive director of the Amador County Chamber of Commerce. “How special is this?”

Barnard was one of the Amador County officials on hand Friday to cut the ribbon on the Rail Explorers’ newest addition to their nationwide rail bike company: the Amador Gold Country. The new station is just steps away from the welcome sign at the southern entrance to Ione, the small former mining town 40 miles southeast of downtown Sacramento.

Rail Explorers Amador Gold Country is expected to be one of the area’s biggest tourism hits.

The rail bikes are small cars that operated on the railroad tracks by bike pedals and assisted by electric engines. The cars sit either two or four people. The two-person cars weigh roughly 500 pounds while the four-person cars are nearly 800 pounds. The “Rail Explorers,” as they are called, cost $95 for two people and $175 for four. That amounts to $45.50 and $43.75 per person, respectively.

Their new route runs from just outside the center of Ione to the Old Newton Copper Mine and back. It’s roughly an eight-mile round trip that takes about two hours. At full speed the rail bikes travel at just below 15 miles per hour, which is more easily achieved on the ride back down the hill opposed to the climb up, which heavily leans on the electric motors for assistance.

“A lot of people keep calling me and asking me, because I got bad legs and knees, ‘How are you pedaling?’ I said, ‘It’s not hard,’” Ione mayor Stacy Rhodes said. “They can do it, trust me.”

Rhodes said he used to run Sutter Gold Mine Tours that would specialize in Gold Country mines. He said his business would attract 25,000-30,000 patrons per year, which was his rough estimate for the Rail Explorers’ new project. Rhodes said in his younger years he used to take his car up the same tracks with friends at nightfall. Now he can do so more safely — and legally.

Amador’s Gold Country becomes Rail Explorers’ sixth division throughout the United States, joining Rhode Island; New York state’s Catskills and Cooperstown; Boone, Iowa; and Kentucky. The views of the Sierra Nevadas and California’s Central Valley drew the company to Ione, along with the history tied to the old mining industry.

“We came here (in 2021) and we tested it with the board members, and they loved it,” said Mary Joy Lu, CEO of Rail Explorers. “And the track was sensational. So once those two ingredients came together, then negotiations started and here we are.”

Rail Explorers say people of all ages can ride, but those younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Infants must be on a chest harness, but they ride for free. The company also says its tours are pet friendly. Pets ride for free, but they are limited to 40 pounds. Dogs have been brought along at the company’s other rail lines — they sit or lay on the floor between the seats, sometimes in beds. The company said cats, lizards, parrots and ducks have also ridden before.

The ride through the Gold Country is pleasant. Horses, farms and golden fields accompany the ride over the old train tracks, along with the sounds and bumps that fans of old trains are familiar with. The rail bikes are uncovered, which makes hats, sunscreen and plenty of water needed on warm days.

Those interested can visit RailExplorers.net or call 877-833-8588 for tickets.