I went in and found these images online...
they are from the 50s and 60s like I said before...
they were used to check the rails and transport personnel...
today, people buy them up to run the rails...
much like a motor cycle run on a day trip...
these owners do day trips when they can...
when they run, they book the track...
from point A to point B for a certain time frame...
our rails here are owned by ADM...
so there is no other traffic on them except to move grain...
so they rent the track out on a day when they are not using it...
it is always on a Sunday and we have only seen them in colder weather...
they will run 2 or 3 times during their "season"...
I am sure there are other rails they use...
they will go one way and stop and eat...
turn around and go back...
they make a day of it...
I am sure they are old retired conductors taking a look at the tracks and the views only you can see by rail...
if you have never traveled by train...
do so before they are gone...
it's a whole different world...
and the towns and cities you thought you knew so well...
will offer many fun surprises...
hope that answers all your questions...