Pedal the rails: Railbike excursions guide (2024) By Nastassia Putz | March 25, 2024 | Last updated on March 26, 2024 Rain or shine, get ready to pedal Railbike excursions Skunk Train What’s the fuss about? This concept has existed roughly since the 1850s, when maintenance workers on railroads used handcars and railbikes to get from point A to point B.  Something had to be used to carry the crew and materials for track inspections and/or repairs. In 1877, a Michigan farmer named George Sheffield was accredited for inventing the first three-wheeled railroad velocipede — a handcar that used a combination of hand and foot power to propel forward (“push-pull fashion”). With many variations of this today, railbikes are primarily used for pleasure. The construction of each railbike may differ — some are 2-seaters, others 4 — and can come with electric assist. Essentia...