Stanley Park Train closed for Easter and spring season

The Stanley Park Train in Vancouver will stay closed during Easter and the spring season. Officials say they are unsure about the long-term future of the train, which has been a popular attraction. The train ride returned in 2023 after being closed for two years. It quickly became popular, with 23,000 tickets sold in just 90 minutes for a seasonal event. However, the train was shut down indefinitely in December after a driver fell ill due to emissions from the engines. Steve Jackson, the general manager of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, explained that attempts to reduce emissions from the train have not been successful. The engines are over 50 years old. Jackson mentioned that electrifying the train might be the best option for the future, as current repairs have not worked. The park board plans to analyze the situation and report back in June. This closure follows a series of difficulties for the train ride over the past five years. It was first canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then faced other closures because of safety concerns and mechanical issues. Over these years, the park has lost about $3 million trying to keep the train operating. Jackson noted that the existing locomotives and track are outdated, which complicates options for repair or replacement. The public will eventually be consulted on the train's future, as it has received strong support in the past.