Park Board staff explore future of Stanley Park Train

At a Park Board meeting last night, staff provided an update on the Stanley Park Train and laid out next steps in planning for future decisions regarding the cherished attraction. Staff also confirmed that 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. 

In the coming months, staff will be exploring a range of potential new and creative operating and business models for the railway site. These will include soliciting proposals for new, alternative operating models for the site, in addition to scoping what a full capital investment would entail to renew the train, its track and its facilities.

Preliminary analysis shows that a full renewal of the train and the ancillary buildings and amenities could require substantial capital investment. 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. 

Staff will be issuing a formal call for requests for expressions of interest beginning later this year. Staff will conduct a thorough evaluation of each proposal and report back to the Board in early 2026. As part of their report, staff will bring forward proposed strategies for engaging key interest holders and the public, as appropriate, on any changes to the train and its site.