City confirms Stanley Park Train cancelled for the holiday season

Rides on Stanley Park’s iconic Christmas train will be shelved for another year for thousands of ticket holders, as officials confirm the train’s closure will continue for the remainder of the holiday season.

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation suspended the Stanley Park Train over the weekend after a staff member became ill while operating the train.

On Monday, Steve Jackson, general manager of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, said the train operator experienced “dizziness and nausea” after inhaling fumes from the exhaust.

“We are very sorry to be delivering such disappointing news to the thousands of customers who were hoping to ride the Bright Nights Train throughout the holidays,” Jackson said in an update Friday.

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

The news will likely be saddening for the thousands who battled it out for tickets in November, some who waited for hours in virtual waiting rooms. The tickets, a hot commodity every year, sold out within 24 hours.

The park board said staff are working to inform all the ticket holders of the continued closure. As consolation, each will receive an automatic refund and discounted tickets to the Festival of Light Christmas event at the VanDusen Botanical Garden, it said.

Those still hoping to visit the park over the festive season can take solace in the displays that will remain throughout December. The train runs as part of the park’s annual Bright Nights, a fundraiser for the B.C. Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund, which will continue to host its Santa photo booth, live entertainment, festive treats, and dazzling light display at the train plaza.

Admission is by donation, with all funds going towards the Burn Fund’s survivor programs.