Christopher C.
Yelp
Setup: I was able to make a reservation super easy on the Tracks and Yaks website the day before we decided to go. tracksandyaks.com/
Everything from pricing to their different length rides, to rides with tubing or bikes. Even a nice cross promotion with their new operations in Berlin, MD down by Ocean City.
Day Of: There is a parking lot right by the station in Frostburg that maybe (?) gets crowded on days when the Western Maryland is also running or there are other events going on, but for us it was a breeze as our time only had three bikes going out.
Quick check-in and waiver signature once we got inside the station and they do have various drinks, snacks and merch to buy along with real bathrooms and port-o-pots. About 10-15 minutes before go-time, we got a safety briefing along with a bit of history and because everyone was already there, we left early.
The Ride: (We've done several other railbike lines in PA, NJ and NY prior to coming here so the concept for us was by no means foreign.)
What's great about this ride is the scenery is top notch. Getting to go through Brush Tunnel, seeing the Mount Savage Overlook and going around Helmstetter's Curve. Each of those are fantastic and unique vantage points for things you really can't see/experience on any other railbike lines that I'm aware of.
Unlike other lines we've been on, and partially due to only having three bikes riding, everyone was spaced out and keeping their distance between bikes nicely. Doing this provides a better experience and not every rail bike company talks about this prior to departure. This far too often leads to people thinking that bumper cars or riding the tail of the bike in front of them is ok, when it's very much not. If I can hear about your dinner plans or catch a good whaff of your B.O., you're too damn close.
What's not ok about this ride are the bikes themselves. Compared to the bikes that Revolution Rail or Rail Explorers use, these seem...flimsy and/or not well maintained or poorly put together.
On the bike we were riding, two out of the three riders had their chain pop off multiple times. We attempted to DIY it on our own while moving with some success, but ultimately, at a crossing with a member of staff present, he suggested I change to a different seat because the tension device for the chain was unfixable in the moment. He was able to get my wife's back on permanently but still, two out of three chains coming off over and over for more than half the ride is a bit much.
But in a way, that only matters so much since this line is basically 100% downhill. If everyone is spaced out far enough, comparatively minimal peddling is needed.
One other fwiw, while they mention two hours being needed for the Helmstetter Hotshot ride, we were back at the station and in our car in less than ninety minutes.
Overall, we had a good time. The staff seemed nice enough, the scenery is fantastic and even though we had some issues with the equipment, at some point we'll definitely make the trip down to Berlin to give their other ride a try.