An independent engineering firm is about to begin an assessment of Vancouver’s closure Stanley Park Train Next week, according to one of the city’s parks commissioners.
But while the move is good news for anyone hoping to see the popular attraction back on track, Global News has learned there may be an opportunity to prevent the train from closing in the first place.
The train was already called off due to this fall Vancouver Park Board What was said was “mechanical issues affecting ancient engines and passenger cars.” it forced the cancellation Stanley Park The Ghost Train and its participation in the annual Stanley Park Bright Nights resulted in a 50 percent drop in donations to the Firefighters Burn Fund fundraiser.
Global News has learned that Parks Board staff have received offers of help from community members — including those with industry expertise — to try to keep the train on track for Bright Nights.
Rust, damage, overgrown vegetation lead to cancellation of Stanley Park Bright Nights train
Canada needs more airline competition, monitoring to avoid travel ‘catastrophe’: Poilievre
But there was a feeling – some included – that the park board had already decided the train would not run, sources told Global News.
“The train is as much an iconic part of the park as a totem pole or seawall. People don’t come to the park just for one thing,” Gerry O’Neill, who operates the Stanley Park Horse Drawn Carriage, told Global News.
“I understand and I’m sure a lot of people understand that sometimes you’ve got challenges, but this wasn’t new. He was told months and months ahead, and he had regular annual checkups. Obviously someone Fell off the train.
Newly-elected ABC Vancouver Parks Commissioner Laura Christensen said she hasn’t heard about those discussions, but the board remains committed to getting the train up and running as soon as possible.
“We view it as an important part of the city and a beloved attraction,” she said Friday, adding Technical Safety BC has mandated an independent engineer assess the equipment.
“Easter would be great, but we don’t know at this point in time, and we’re waiting to hear back from that report.”
In November, Technical Safety BC outlined a number of issues with the short train line, including corrosion and damage to both track and railcars, overgrown vegetation obstructing sight lines, and destruction of infrastructure.
Christensen said the train’s issues stemmed primarily from its age.
BC firefighters’ ‘Bright Nights’ fundraiser down 50 percent due to Stanley Park train shutdown
Pierre Poilievre pledges ‘different approach’ to reconciliation after speech at Frontier Center
He said a similar train Global News reported on earlier this week from the same manufacturer in Saanich is only 20 years old, while the Stanley Park train is nearly 60 years old.
The manufacturer discontinued the Stanley Park model in the 1970s, she said.
“If we ask for a part, they have to manufacture it specifically for our train,” she said.
“The park board is trying really hard to keep it running, but between COVID and the age of the train it is getting to the point where it is quite old and it is becoming challenging to maintain.”
The city has previously said it is also working with Simon Fraser University’s School of Sustainable Energy on long-term solutions, including potentially electric trains.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.