Stanley Park Train Reopens After 4 Years of Intermittent Cancellation

Photo Credit: Vancouver Parks Board via Vancouver Is Awesome

The Stanley Park miniature train is a star attraction of Vancouver, welcoming 200,000 visitors annually. The 15 minute ride has a brightly decorated trail with themed seasonal events such as the Easter Train, Ghost Train, and the Bright Lights train. Bright Lights is the most popular of the themes. 

However, the train has been out of operation for nearly four years for various reasons. Recently, though, it reopened on Nov. 30 and will run until Jan. 1, 2024.

CBC News reported a long series of delays that prevented the train’s operation. In 2020, the train closed due to Covid restrictions. The following year, multiple coyote attacks in Stanley Park led to the train closing due to safety concerns in October. In 2022, the train was called off after a failed safety inspection. Supply chain issues prevented maintenance parts from arriving in time to fix mechanical problems.

Finally, in 2023, the train is ready to take passengers, in part due to various charitable donations. $500,000 of the $650,000 dollars of repairs were funded by private donations, demonstrating the strong public support for the train. When ticket sales opened, 17,000 tickets were sold within an hour. Due to the incredible success, an additional 17,000 tickets were added. 

“Listen, the Stanley Park train’s back, baby, it’s going to be awesome,” Vancovuer mayor Ken Sim told Global News. “I’m happy to say the future is looking incredibly bright for the Stanley Park train.”

Besides the train, there is the Bright Lights fair that accompanies the ride for free. As well, there is food and live entertainment on Pipeline Road in Stanley Park.