FOLLOWING a safety incident last week which forced the popular Bright Nights Stanley Park Train to halt operations, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation announced on Friday that the train will not be able to return in time for the remainder of the holiday season.  

Last week on December 13, exhaust from one of the train’s locomotives caused a driver to become ill and require medical attention. In the days since, staff have been working tirelessly to find a solution that ensures the safety of our staff in time for the holidays, the Board said. 

“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,” said Steve Jackson, General Manager of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. “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.”  

Bright Nights in Stanley Park is made possible each year with the support of countless volunteers from regional fire departments, who after the holidays, must return to their regular work. Extending the event into January isn’t possible without the dedicated volunteers.  

Staff are working to inform all affected customers of the cancellation to their reservations. All customers will be receiving automatic refunds and a promo code for discounted tickets to Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden.   

For families still looking to celebrate the season, the Board says it welcomes and encourages everyone to enjoy the displays at the train plaza, where over 1,200 off-duty firefighters have created a dazzling winter wonderland of nearly 3 million Christmas lights. Admission is by donation, supporting the Burn Fund’s survivor programs. Enjoy photos with Santa, a magical tunnel of lights, live entertainment, and festive treats.