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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 '14 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 '14 at 11:18
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    Wow, how did I miss this question 3 months ago? Love it! – Mark Mayo♦ Jun 30 '14 at 0:23
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    Draisines are equally real. – gerrit Mar 23 '17 at 19:01
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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

enter image description here

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. :)

enter image description here

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