Stanley Park Train Shut Down Through 2025 Amid Safety, Cost Concerns

The beloved Stanley Park Train won’t be running in 2025 as park board staff cite major safety concerns and financial losses that threaten the future of the attraction.

The popular miniature railway — known for themed rides like the Halloween Ghost Train and Bright Nights during the holidays — was indefinitely shut down in December 2024 after a driver fell ill from exhaust fumes. Despite drawing over 90,000 riders that year, officials now say the ride won’t return in 2025.

"Taken together, there are a host of risks associated with the Stanley Park Train right now," said John Brodie, the park board’s director of business services.

Those risks include operator safety, mounting financial losses, and reputational damage from frequent closures. The park board expects to lose $700,000 on the train this year, adding to nearly $3 million in losses over five years.

Despite the setbacks, interest from third parties is growing, with groups offering sponsorship or investment ideas aimed at attracting more tourists. Staff say the ride’s central location in Vancouver’s most iconic park gives it strong potential if reimagined.

“Maintaining the current model — with the park board running it — has the lowest financial upside,” Brodie noted.

The board is considering options such as electrifying the aging train system, but that could cost at least $7.7 million, and may require replacing the narrow-gauge track and locomotives entirely. The current engines are over 50 years old and run on a 20-inch gauge — incompatible with modern electric alternatives.

The train has been plagued with interruptions: COVID-19 closures in 2020, coyote-related shutdowns in 2021, and mechanical failures in 2022 due to antique parts and supply chain issues.

Park board staff plan to report back in 2026 after consulting with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, evaluating investment proposals, and possibly launching public engagement.

In the meantime, the future of one of Vancouver’s most nostalgic family attractions remains uncertain.