Railway tours combine old and new

Handcar Tours recently began operations on the newly reactivated 18-mile Washington, Idaho and Montana Railway. The railroad dates from the opening decade of the last century. 

The tours start from just west of the junction of Highway 95 and Idaho 6 about 70 miles south of Coeur d’ Alene. The tour uses hand cars reminiscent of those in old movies with the addition of electric assist. 

Just as with electric bikes this addition opens the activity to people with varying degrees of physical fitness-you can use the handcar mechanism or the electric assist or both depending on your desire. 

Participants must 10 or older. Our tour on opening day June 27 had people from early 80s (Me) to the teens with 40s and 60s well represented. Each handcar can carry three people. There are four seats, but the person who controls the electric assist and the brake needs an unobstructed forward view. 

The operators of the tour have a railroad speeder that proceeds the group and one that follows. The handcars proceed at their own pace along the Palouse River through a rural landscape of farms, horses, cattle, forests, and fields. 

After about 3.7 miles a break is taken and the group heads back to the starting point. The whole trip, including the safety briefing, lasts about two hours.

The trips operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with the intent of running them into
the fall depending on the interest. The operators have years of experience operating in
California, and this is their first Idaho venture. The cost is $149 per handcar. Reservations can be made at Handcar.com.

The experience combines entrepreneurial short-line railroading, old technology (The Handcar) and modern technology (The Electric Assist) in a pastoral Idaho setting. It is a reminder of the transportation system that enabled the farmers, miners, and loggers to participate in global and national markets.

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John Mitchell is a resident of Coeur d'Alene.