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Almost three decades ago I had the pleasure to ride a pump trolley. I remembered the ease of getting the thing in motion and the speed you can get. Unfortunately I was only allowed to ride for about 100 meters.

Today I watched an episode of Masha and the bear, where Santa Claus was driving such a pump trolley. Of course this was a cartoon, but it made me wonder if there is still some place in the world where one could rent or drive such a pump trolley for a longer journey.

I know that there are multiple locations where you can cycle on old railway tracks (example). I am actually looking for the real thing, such as depicted in the picture below.

Example of a pump trolley from Wiki commons Source: WikiCommons

Bonus points for someone pointing to a pump trolley which can be used for a multiple day hiking trip.

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  • Welcome back. You should watch the entire series. :) Do you care where the ride is? And it's a real thing just slightly newer model.
    – Karlson
    Mar 11, 2014 at 18:45
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    What a great question! Best of its type so far this year (-: I think everyone who has seen one of these in a movie or cartoon has wanted to try it.
    – hippietrail
    Mar 12, 2014 at 11:18
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    Wow, how did I miss this question 3 months ago? Love it!
    – Mark Mayo
    Jun 30, 2014 at 0:23
  • 1
    Draisines are equally real.
    – gerrit
    Mar 23, 2017 at 19:01

3 Answers 3

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I see you live in Belgium, so here is an alternative closer to home:

There's a list of a lot of draisine offers by country, but so far all of the ones I checked out except the above one where the cycling ones. Maybe if you go through them, you can find another one.

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+350

You can ride a pump trolley at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, although it doesn't look to be quite the vintage of your example. Reviews suggest it is indeed quite enjoyable.

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Another option is in Goleta with a handcar that seems more your kind of vintage (albeit a replica created in the 1980s).

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Carson City also gives you a chance to do so.

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There's also a general entry race at Folsom, which seems like it provides the handcar for you.

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7

In the US there is also rides available in Steamtown USA in Scranton, PA

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If you really feel like it you can try the Folsom HandCar Derby in Folsom, CA. Not as old hand car as you have listed by still could be fun. :)

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