Downtown Historic Railway

Operations have ceased as of October 2008.

At this time, the City of Vancouver is undertaking a major track rebuilding project for the western part of the line. See the City's information release for more information. DHR operations will resume when the trackwork is complete. Expected date: October 2009 at the earliest.

On April 3, 1996 Mayor Philip Owen announced the purchase of the old Canadian Pacific, False Creek railway corridor which forms the basis for a demonstration line from Granville Island to "Leg-in-Boot Station".

The Downtown Historic Railway demonstrates the City commitment to restoring urban electric rail to Vancouver.

Interurban car #1207 was restored by B.C.Transit in 1990 and has recently been leased for five years by the City of Vancouver. Volunteers from the Transit Museum Society (TRAMS) will conduct heritage tours of Car #1207 which was one of three cars built in B.C. for the inauguration of service from Marpole to Steveston in 1905.

Proposed extensions will connect to the north side of False Creek and eventually north to Chinatown and Gastown, and then head west to Canada Harbour Place and Stanley Park.

The City has already established rights of way on the south side of False Creek and on the Coal Harbour Waterfront.

The demonstration line operates summer weekends and holidays between Science World Station and Granville Island Station. Please see our schedule for more information.

For information about tours and charters, please contact Dale Laird for bookings and rates.

HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?

Interested individuals or groups can help out in two general areas....

1. SPONSORSHIPS

TAX CREDITABLE DONATIONS are being accepted by the City of Vancouver to offset costs associated with displaying Car 1207. For further information about donations, see the city's DHR website, or call Dane Doleman in the City's Engineering Services Group at (604)871-6930, or Fax (604)871-6971, or e-mail dane.doleman@vancouver.ca

Do not contact the city staff for any other trams-related business including souvenir purchases

Major sponsors will receive special recognition.

TRAMS is also able to accept TAX CREDITABLE DONATIONS to be applied against costs associated with the project.

2. VOLUNTEERS

If you're a hands-on type of person with lots of time and energy, the members of TRAMS would welcome you on board this timely project. For a membership application follow this link!, or e-mail

Related links:
Interurban Car 1207
Interurban Car 1231
DHR Schedule
TRAMS Souvenirs