Maydena Railtrack Rider

TAKE six four-wheeled, lightweight vehicles powered by pedals on railway tracks and you have the recipe for a unique full-filled holiday experience.

 In what is believed to be a first in Australia, the Railtrack Rider (RTR) in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley provides the opportunity to travel along the old Maydena railway track past an historic railway siding and into the rainforest.

The RTR was developed by the Maydena Community Association and project co-ordinator Geoff Williams who got in touch a with similar undertaking in Connecticut in the US, and imported the wheels.

Geoff also worked with Department of Industry Energy and Resources on safety and standards and brought down a railway expert from NSW.

Geoff says the RTR was built using local Derwent Valley ingenuity.

“Brett Johnston (who is a former Boyer fitter and turner) from New Norfolk Mowers and Cycles made the axels and fitted them as well as the modified disk brakes,” he said.

“The frames were welded by Former InCat worker Terry Edwards who is a neighbour of mine and the seats have been recycled from the Maydena Primary School.”

Geoff developed the independent suspension using modified recycled valve springs from car engines

“The riders are a bit like big billy carts on rails,” he said.

“They are completely safe and provide a great ride.”

The RTR gives patrons a unique tourism experience by providing an opportunity for adventure in an historic area with a forest industry heritage.

“The concept has the bonus of encouraging physical activity and is suitable for people of average fitness,” Geoff said.

“They travel along a 2.5 kilometre section of disused rail track between Maydena and the Florentine Valley station.

“The journey takes about one hour return with the incline in the first section providing a bit of a work out, while the return run is a fast, easy downhill pedal.”

Stopping points enable people to see:

• the former silos that contained cement that was brought down by train from Railton and delivered from the silo by trucks 24 hours a day to build the hydro dams at Strathgordon and Scotts Peak
• spur line that originally had wooden rails and the remains of bridge over which logs were carried from the Florentine Valley in the early 20th Century to be processed at Maydena
• an unusual hollow tree with man ferns growing from it and which has been nicknamed the Tasmanian Tiger Kennel

For bookings and more information  adventureforests.com.au