Miniature Train Ride in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada
The Miniature Train Railway Ride in Stanley Park operates at various times during the year (Easter, spring/summer, Halloween, and Christmas).
The miniature train goes on a scenic 15 minute, 2 kilometre ride which includes a tunnel and trestle over water. There is usually music or a narration during the ride.
For each season, there are season-specific decorations along the way, e.g. an easter theme during March, Christmas theme in December, scary displays with actors during Halloween.
The Stanley Park miniature train ride operates out of an area called Stanley Park Junction that has a train station, ticket booth, and other facilities.
The train ride is for both children and adults.
2024 Stanley Park Miniature Train Ride UPDATES
December 20, 2024: The train ride has been CANCELLED for the remainder of the Bright Nights event due to an employee safety issue. Please note that the Christmas Lights and Displays are still open to view so you can still come on out to the event and support the Firefighters Burn Fund!
Stanley Park Miniature Train Ride Tickets
This is a paid attraction. You need to buy tickets to ride the train.
During Easter, Halloween, and Christmas there are usually other free/paid activities that take place at Stanley Park Junction that you can also do before/after your train ride.
It is always free to enter the Stanley Park Junction area.
2024 Stanley Park Miniature Train Ride Dates/Times
For 2024, the Stanley Park Miniature train will operate on the following dates:
- Easter Fair and Miniature Train Ride: March 29, 2024 to April 1, 2024 10am-4pm.
- Summer Train: April 13 to July 1: Fridays and Saturdays plus Victoria Day and Canada Day: 10am-4pm ; July 3 to Sep 2: Wednesdays and Thursdays 11am-4pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-4pm, BC Day and Labour Day open from 10am-4pm.
- Halloween Ghost Train: October 10, 2024 to October 31, 2024, closed on Thanksgiving Oct 14, 2024
- Bright Nights Christmas Train: cancelled
Note that the train will NOT run during Family Day in Februarys anymore.
Easter Miniature Train Ride
During the Easter weekend, the miniature train operates with an Easter theme.
For 2024, you can meet the Easter Bunny and check out fun displays the Stanley Park Junction.
Summer Urban Forest Miniature Train Ride
The summer Minature Train ride operates with an 'Urban Forest' theme.
There is a narration during the train ride.
Halloween Ghost Minature Train Ride
During the weeks prior to and including Halloween, the miniature train operates with a Halloween theme!
In the evenings, there are live actors and sets along the train ride route! There are matinees without the live actors on the weekends during the day that are less scary for the little ones .
Bright Nights Christmas Train Ride
During the Christmas and New Years season the miniature train operates with a Christmas theme!
The train ride will pass Christmas displays and millions of Christmas lights on the ride!
Christmas music is played during the ride.
The train operates in conjunction with Bright Nights which is a charity event. Firefighters set up millions of Christmas lights and displays set up in the area around the train.
Original Stanley Park Miniature Train
The trains operating now in Stanley Park were not the original. The original currently resides at the West Coast Railway Association Museum in Squamish, BC.
The sign says:
THE ORIGINAL STANLEY PARK MINIATURE TRAIN (1947 - 1963)
In the late 1930s, Provincial Chief Engineer John Armstrong built this miniature train in his home in Victoria. It was aquired by the Vancouver Parks Board in 1947 and placed in Stanley Park where it brought smiles to hundreds and thousands of people until 1963.
Edward (Ted) Humphrey purchased the train from the Vancouver Parks Board in the mid 1960s and cared for the locomotive over the years. In 2016, the Humphrey family donated the train to the WCRA.
"The WCRA thanks the Humphrey family for saving this historical train and for seeing it preserved through the west coast railawy association.
Current Stanley Park Miniature Trains
The trains operating now in Stanley Park were not the original. The original currently resides at the West Coast Railway Association Museum in Squamish, BC.
There are 4 current trains. As of 2024, only 2 are operational.
They are all beautiful, but the most famous of them is the CPR 374 replica. The real CPR 374 was the first train to cross Canada and now resides and is on display in the Yaletown Roundhouse in Vancouver, BC.
Stanley Park Miniature Train Photos
Where is the Miniature Train ride in Stanley Park?
The Miniature Train is located in at the Stanley Park Junction up Pipeline Road next to the Bus Loop.
Where Can I Park for the Miniature Train in Stanley Park?
There is a large parking lot immediately in front of Stanley Park Junction where the train ride starts/ends.
If this lot is full, there is an overflow lot just across Pipeline Road.
For more detailed information (rates, times, etc.) about parking in Stanley Park, please read: Parking in Stanley Park
Can I Get to the Miniature Train in Stanley Park by Bus?
Yes, you can take the #19 Stanley Park Bus to get to the Stanley Park Bus Loop which is located very close to the Stanley Park Junction where the train ride starts/ends.
Are there washrooms near the Stanley Park Miniature Train ride?
Yes, there are washrooms just outside the Stanley Park Junction where the train ride starts/ends. Take the exit near the ticket booth and turn left.
Is there parking for strollers?
Yes, there is a space to park strollers next to where you board the train.