Dozens of people gathered outside of the train station on Port Alberni's waterfront on Friday, June 28 for a chance to catch the first train ride of the season.
The Alberni Pacific Railway, which is run by the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society (IHS), sold approximately 50 tickets for the train's first run at 11 a.m., including two tickets to a couple visiting all the way from Australia.
It's the first time since the Santa Train in 2018 that the train has carried passengers along Port Alberni's waterfront. Although the run is a shortened one, due to some repairs that are needed on the tracks, IHS vice-president Richard Spencer says the response has been "absolutely incredible" so far.
"We've been getting positive comments through email, Facebook, phone calls," said Spencer. "From community members, but also from visitors who are really excited to see the train running again. It's really exciting to have that community support for the train."
The Alberni Pacific Railway officially announced last week that the train would be hitting the tracks in two days. Spencer said he wanted to make sure that there would be a special run just in time for Canada Day.
"Ticket sales have been going like crazy just in the past 48 hours," said Spencer.
The No. 11 diesel train will now be running every weekend this summer, with rides on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are available to purchase online at www.albernipacificrailway.ca or in person outside of the train station prior to departure.
The popular No. 7 steam train won't be running this year due to budget constraints.
For now, the train is only travelling between the Port Alberni Train Station at the foot of Argyle Street to Dry Creek, just south of the Paper Excellence Paper Mill. The IHS eventually plans to take the train down Harbour Road past the Port Alberni Port Authority, but some track maintenance still needs to be done. Spencer says Warbrick Contracting has been working to get this route finished "in very short time."
In the meantime, Spencer warns the public to avoid parking on or near railroad tracks.
"The biggest challenge we're having is people parking along the rail line on Harbour Road," said Spencer. "It's very dangerous. We want people to be mindful that the train is running, and even when it's not running we have maintenance vehicles on the tracks. Basically, people should treat the tracks like the train is operating 24/7."