Stanley Park Train not hitting the tracks for the holidays

The Vancouver Park Board confirmed Friday that the much beloved Stanley Park Train will not return to the tracks for the rest of the holidays.

It comes after the popular Bright Nights Stanley Park Train was suspended on Dec. 13 due to a “worker safety incident.”

In an update, the Park Board says that the exhaust from one of the train’s locomotives caused a driver to become ill and require medical attention.

“In the days since, staff have been working tirelessly to find a solution that ensures the safety of our staff in time for the holidays,” the Park Board said. “The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation regrets to share today that the train will not be able to return in time for the remainder of the holiday season.”

Steve Jackson, general manager of the Park Board, says he’s very sorry to be delivering the disappointing news.

“We know what a beloved tradition and highlight the train is for so many families, however, the remaining dates left in the Bright Nights calendar don’t leave us with much time to make the necessary safety changes and regulatory sign off to guarantee the safety of our staff,” Jackson explained.

Tickets for the popular Stanley Park Train sold out within 24 hours after tickets went on sale online this year. Some users said they waited for hours until they were able to buy or got kicked out due to system errors.

This is not the first time the train’s service has been affected. When the attraction was operating as the Halloween Ghost Train in October, it was suspended in advance of the atmospheric river weather event. The attraction has also dealt with other issues, including a cut in service due to staff illness and a long-term closure due to restoration work.

The Park Board states that staff are working to notify all those with tickets of the cancellation, and they will be receiving automatic refunds along with a promotion code for discounted tickets to the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

With files from Emma Crawford.