MINI-TRAIN ROLLING AGAIN
The beloved Bowness Park mini train is back on the rails for a new generation of Calgarians. The 2016 mini train season kicked off Thursday with free rides on the newly-refurbished tiny locomotive, the first one conducted by Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “I had so
1. Origins
The first Bowness Park mini train started giving rides to Calgary kids in the early 1950s. It continued to do so for nearly 60 years, earning a spot in the hearts and memories of many in the city, until it was put into storage. The original train, however, was moved to Vancouver Island in the ’60s. Since then, a series of replacements with different styles have taken on the task of transporting kids around the park.
2. The 2013 flood
Unfortunately, the train was badly damaged in the 2013 flood, with silt reportedly covering it from top to bottom. According to city staff, it was in need of a complete restoration. A portion of the costs of were covered by the province through the Disaster Recovery Program
3. Restoration
The process of restoring the train was a labour of love, according to the director of Calgary Parks, Anne Charlton. Hundreds of the parts necessary had to be handmade — the train is so old, many of them aren’t manufactured anymore. The experts behind the job, from the Call of the West Museum in High River, also installed a new diesel engine, sandblasted and repainted the body, put down a kilometre of new tracks and constructed a new building to house the train.
4. Paint job
The Bowness train’s brand-new paint job was modelled after CP Rail’s luxury passenger train, The Canadian, which was introduced for cross-country trips in 1955. The sleek silver, burgundy and yellow design is pretty much the same as the full-size classic, only smaller.
5. How to ride
If you missed the free rides on opening day, never fear. The train is open for rides from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, with the last ride starting at 6 and extended hours on holidays. Tickets cost $5 per person or $10 for a family of four. Kids under the age of two can ride for free.