THUNDER BAY – The Muskeg Express is rolling full steam ahead.
The 50-year-old Centennial Park amusement ride was back on track on Wednesday after repairs and upgrades were completed to allow the mini-train to meet safety standards.
“It was part of the original plan to create a park that captured the logging community theme,” said Cory Halvorsen, the city’s manager of parks and open spaces. “It’s been part of the park for a long time and it’s a unique attraction that people missed when it wasn’t here.”
Prior to Wednesday, the train had not been operational since 2016 after the track was found to have deficiencies that needed to be addressed. A railway maintenance contractor was hired to check the alignment along the length of the track for width and elevation, made corrections and replaced some of the rail ties.
Council in April had approved a request for $50,000 from reserve funds to complete the work. Halvorsen said the project came in under that budget.
The ride generated $3,400 in the last year it was operational. That amount would mean a minimum of 1,200 people hopped aboard, assuming they all would have paid the adult fee rather than the discounted child rate.
“Kids get really excited about it but it’s appropriate for all ages. It’s a really good attraction for families,” Halvorsen said.
“It’s a different way to experience the park space instead of walking or biking through you get to take a ride on an amusement ride that has some history to it.”
The train operates weather permitting from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday until the Labour Day weekend. The fare is $2.75 for adults and $1 for children between six and 14 while younger kids ride for free.
