Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim announced at a press conference on November 6 that Stanley Park’s miniature train will return for the first time in two years in time for the Christmas season. The train is scheduled to be open from November 30th to January 1st of the following year.
The train has been loved by citizens since 1961, not only at Christmas but also at Halloween and Easter, but it has been frequently cancelled in recent years. It was cancelled in 2020 due to the spread of the new coronavirus, and in the fall of 2021 due to the risk of coyotes.
Halloween in 2022 and this year have been cancelled due to mechanical problems. Repairs were difficult due to a lack of funds and the difficulty of obtaining the necessary parts, but thanks to many donations, they were able to reopen. Donations accounted for $500,000 of the $650,000 repair cost.
Ticket sales will begin on November 9th, but reopening is conditional on the train passing an upcoming safety inspection. However, city officials say there will be no problem passing the exam.
The train runs through the Bright Nights Christmas event held at Stanley Park every year. The reopening of the train is good news as the event, which features live entertainment and light displays, is a fundraiser for the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund. In 2022, when the train was cancelled, only half of the donations were collected as usual.