Burnaby Central Railway Miniature Train
The Burnaby Central Railway (BCR) at Confederation Park is launching its 32nd season this weekend and is expected to draw 100,000 riders throughout the summer.
Burnaby Central Railway Miniature Train
- Dates: 11:00am to 5:00pm every weekend and statutory holiday starting this Easter weekend and running through Thanksgiving weekend
- Location: Confederation Park in North Burnaby (120 North Willingdon Avenue – five blocks north of E Hastings).
- Tickets: Available on-site only, not online. $4.50 for a single ride or $40 for a 10-ride pass. Children 2 and under ride free.
With the Stanley Park train not in operation, the BCR is the region’s only miniature railway ride north of the Fraser River. Birthday parties and other family celebrations are a big part of the fun. All the cars are easy to board and ride for children and adults alike. The even smaller Garden Railway will also be open for the season. Watch as toy-sized electric and steam trains loop around a large, waist-high outdoor track.
About the Miniature Train
Since 1993, the Burnaby Central Railway has logged more than 1.3 million train rides, 6200 birthday parties, 220,000 volunteer hours, and “countless” smiles. Ken Lear, President of BCSME says, “Our trains look, act and even smell like the real thing, and it’s great value for families since we run almost solely on volunteers. We always encourage anyone who wants to volunteer and help us run the miniature railway to contact us.”
Each train is pulled by a miniature (but real) one-eighth size steam, diesel, or electric locomotive. The engines, plus rolling stock, track and maintenance shops, are owned and maintained year-round by the volunteers of the British Columbia Society of Model Engineers (BCSME) which has been around for 96 years.
Trains consist of multiple cars carrying 20 or more passengers at a time on a two-mile, outdoor ride through the woods, with bridges, tunnels, crossovers, and spirals. Glide along mere inches off the track and feel every rail and corner. A single ride takes approximately 10 minutes.
Follow the BCR on Facebook for updates throughout the season.
