Nori Ride
Only in Cambodia - a must try
What we say: 
The nories will soon be a thing of the past, so catch a ride while you can! According to local authorities, they will be closed permanently by the end of the 2010.
Nories, also know as bamboo trains, are one of Battambang's must sees, if only for their novelty value. Formed by two sets of railway wheels, a bamboo mat and a generator, these are a local way of travelling up and down the railway line in lieu of a real train. (When the real train shows up, all the nories disappear.)
Aside from a rather peculiar way of getting around, they are also a great way of seeing rural Cambodia well off the road network. When two nories meet coming in opposite directions, the one with the lighter load is dismantled and removed from the tracks, allowing the other to pass.
Powered by a small motor, the speed seems quite reasonable and while interesting for an hour or so, anything longer will give you a very sore backside. They can carry motorbikes, so a nori ride is easily combined with a motodop trip to say Phnom Banan.
Just let your motodop know before you leave Battambang that you want to do one of these trips and he'll suggest the best point in your journey to do it. Be sure to agree on a price before you get on.
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Read 3 opinions from Travelfish readers
Still Operating
3rd April, 2012
Still operating as of early April, 2012. Locals still saying it'll close forever very soon. Still a missable experience in my judgement.
Nori Ride reviewed by sullivanmarc (1)
Written on 3rd April, 2012, rated 3 out of 5. Visited here in April, 2012
Nori / Bamboo Train Ride
2nd July, 2011
This is a must do. A friend and I did the train ride as part of a day out with a tuc tuc driver. The cost is $5 but well worth it. As you go through the countryside be prepared for a bumpy ride as the tracks are bent, not straight and sometimes don't meet. But what fun. When other traffic is coming you have to get off, offload the 'train' from the track and let them pass. Then on you go. At the end of our ride a few families have set up stalls to sell drinks. Be prepared to lose a dollar or so as they sell you palm toys and plastic bracelets. They are so friendly and eager to please that you don't mind at all. Then the ride back - this time you will take precedence and have right of way. A fun ride - get it while you can as they will cease to exist when the railway is updated.
Nori Ride reviewed by Prettyfish16 (2)
Written on 2nd July, 2011, rated 5 out of 5. Visited here in July, 2011
Great fun
18th March, 2011
Wouldn't have missed this for the world. It was still open only 2 weeks ago and locals tell us it is now suggested that it might be closed later this year. Who knows? We really enjoyed our ride even though our children think that we have lost our sense of self-preservation.
We were charged the huge sum of US$6 each for our ride as we had a 'train' of our own, but have also heard lots of other different charges. As it is owned by one family you pay what they ask or don't go.
Nori Ride reviewed by EdSue (1)
Written on 18th March, 2011, rated 4 out of 5. Visited here in March, 2011