One of Vancouver's most popular family-friendly activities won't be running at all in 2025.
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Board of Parks and Recreation has announced, "the train will remain offline for the remainder of 2025 following its closure late last year due to safety concerns tied to the train’s aged engines and exhaust systems."
The announcement follows a discussion at the parks board meeting on July 7, 2025, about the future of the train.
The Stanley Park Train last ran during the 2024 Christmas season. It stopped during the Stanley Park Bright Nights on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, after a worker fell ill due to exhaust from the train engine.
"In the coming months, staff will be exploring a range of potential new and creative operating and business models for the railway site," reads this week's press release from the Parks Board.
That includes seeking new models for the site and looking at what it would cost to renew the train, track, and site.
Renewal could be costly, notes the Parks Board.
"Alternative operating models, including some form of partnership or third-party operation could lead to a revitalized, reimagined attraction that would reduce the reliance on tax dollars to return the site to operation," reads the release.
A report from parks staff to the board is expected in "early 2026." In the meantime, the train will remain dormant.
We are exploring exciting new possibilities for the future of the Stanley Park Train. While the train remains offline for 2025 due to safety concerns with its aging systems, we are actively exploring creative new operating and business models.
— Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Board of Parks and Recreation (@ParkBoard)
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