CHARLESTON — Governor Jim Justice recently announced the expansion of Rail Explorers in Clay County following an overwhelmingly successful first month. The railbike operator, which began running tours five weeks ago, has added more tour times and expanded its fleet to accommodate a growing number of visitors. The capacity per tour has been increased from 36 to 60 people.
“This new attraction in our state has been a major success so far,” Justice said. “It’s hardly been a month since they opened their doors, and now they’re already experiencing growth in their business. Rail Explorers has without a doubt made an impact on tourism in Clay County and the state as a whole.”
Rail Explorers offers 2- and 4-person electric-assisted railbikes for a scenic 12-mile round trip along historic railroad tracks near the Elk River and Buffalo Creek. This new location joins the company’s other popular sites in California, Rhode Island, New York, Iowa, and Kentucky.
“We’re thrilled to add new tour times and increase our capacity for Rail Explorers: Elk River,” Mary Joy Lu, Rail Explorers co-founder and CEO, said. “This allows us to share the magic and beauty of West Virginia with even more adventurers. The response we’ve gotten since opening a month ago has been tremendous. We are proud to offer this unique, unforgettable, inclusive, and accessible outdoor experience to people from across the country.”
The attraction uses tracks from the former Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad, which originally transported coal and lumber starting in 1904. Despite severe damage from the June 2016 flood, the corridor has been repaired and repurposed for tourism. The route features Devil’s Sawmill Waterfall, the newest addition to the West Virginia Waterfall Trail.
Tours are available Thursdays through Mondays at 874 Buffalo Creek Road, Clay, WV 25043. Riders can choose a Quad Railbike for $160 or a Tandem Railbike for $80. Clay County residents are eligible for discounted rides on ‘Locals’ Days.’
The Elk River location is expected to employ 15 to 20 people, including seasonal guides. The project was made possible through a public-private partnership with the West Virginia Department of Transportation.
Clay County has seen increases in visitation since the opening of the Elk River Trail in 2019. Since launching, Rail Explorers has hosted more than 2,000 riders from 14 U.S. states.
