Vélorails du pays chartrain, Taiwanese push car railway in Ymeray, France.
Vélorails du pays chartrain is a pedal-powered rail system that operates over a restored former railway line stretching 14.5 kilometers between Gallardon and Coltainville. The route passes through open countryside and agricultural areas, following the original track alignment through the landscape.
The concept originates from Taiwanese push car systems that operated between 1895 and the 1940s as basic transportation on narrow gauge tracks. This French installation was created to revive that historical model as a modern recreational activity using abandoned railway infrastructure.
The site brings together visitors and locals who share a common interest in pedaling through rural landscapes on an unusual form of transportation. This communal activity has created a gathering point where people experience the countryside at a human pace, away from typical tourist attractions.
Vehicles depart regularly throughout the day, with each round trip taking approximately one hour and forty-five minutes to complete. It is helpful to arrive during good weather conditions and wear comfortable clothing suitable for pedaling, as the activity requires steady physical effort.
Riders frequently observe gliders taking off and landing at the adjacent airfield while pedaling through the countryside. This unexpected combination of rail travel and aviation activity creates a distinctive visual experience that most visitors do not anticipate.
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