Train rides will be returning to the Port Alberni waterfront this summer.

Port Alberni city council has agreed to enter into a one-year agreement with the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society (IHS) to operate a short-track passenger train service along the waterfront.

The train, which will be pulled by a diesel locomotive instead of a steam train, will run a round trip from the train station between APD Sawmill and Dry Creek, a distance of approximately 1.3 kilometres, starting in mid-June.

Ticket sales will start around mid-May. In a previous report, IHS vice president Richard Spencer said tickets prices would fall somewhere around $6 per rider.

The city will be contributing $113,935 to the IHSB次元官网网址檚 capital budget and $60,000 to its operating budget, with funding either coming from the Growing Communities Fund or reserves.

Spencer told council during a committee of the whole meeting on April 15 that the IHS is working B次元官网网址渧ery closelyB次元官网网址� with Technical Safety BC to get the train back on track.

B次元官网网址淲e feel that operating along the short track of the Alberni waterfront for this year can provide the community an exciting and educational community-focused attraction that will help build the experience on the waterfront,B次元官网网址� he said.

Along with the train service, the IHS also hopes to run trips with a speeder along the waterfront.

Ultimately, the IHS wants to see the trainB次元官网网址攚ith a steam engineB次元官网网址攔eturn to McLean Mill, but this will not happen until a business and feasibility plan is complete. In the meantime, the city is offering the IHS a one-year contract to see how the passenger rail service is received by the community.

Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions described it as B次元官网网址渁 leap of faithB次元官网网址� on April 15. Passenger rail is not a new service for the city, she said, and the plan that the IHS has put in place for this year is an affordable option focused on the community, instead of tourism.

B次元官网网址淚 think thatB次元官网网址檚 what they need, is just to be given a chance,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Charles Mealey.

Construction will get underway this month to repair the track at Athol Street and Harbour Road, which will allow the train to operate this summer season. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to use Dunbar Street or Argyle Street as an alternate route while construction is underway. Detailed construction information can be found on the cityB次元官网网址檚 website at .

Information on 2024 rail operations, volunteer opportunities and more will be found at .