Staff Report / May 29, 2026
A tourism attraction that brought pedal-powered rail bike excursions to Yates County has officially closed permanently. Finger Lakes Rail Riders, which operated excursions along former rail lines near Penn Yan, announced it has ceased operations and will no longer offer tours in the Finger Lakes region.
The company operated rail bike rides on a section of the Finger Lakes Railway corridor near Keuka Lake, offering visitors a unique way to experience the area’s scenery while traveling on specially designed pedal-assisted rail vehicles. The attraction launched in 2022 and marketed itself as a family-friendly outdoor tourism experience combining recreation, railroad history, and Finger Lakes landscapes.
In a statement posted online, the company said the closure followed “many challenges” faced during operations but did not publicly provide extensive details about the decision. The business thanked customers, employees, and the Penn Yan community for supporting the attraction during its time in operation. The company’s website and social media pages indicate tours have been discontinued indefinitely.
The closure marks the end of one of several rail bike tourism ventures that have emerged across the Northeast in recent years. Rail biking has grown in popularity nationally as former and active rail corridors have been repurposed for tourism and recreation experiences. Similar attractions continue operating in parts of the Adirondacks, Catskills, Pennsylvania, and New England.
Finger Lakes Rail Riders had become part of the broader tourism economy surrounding Penn Yan and Keuka Lake, an area known for wineries, lake recreation, and seasonal tourism. Local tourism officials have increasingly emphasized outdoor recreation and experiential attractions as part of efforts to draw visitors to Yates County and the central Finger Lakes region.
No information has been released regarding the future use of the rail equipment or whether another operator could eventually revive rail bike excursions on the corridor.
