Burnaby Central Railway
Ride a miniature railroad through the beautiful Confederation Park in Burnaby
Operated by volunteers from the BC Society of Model Engineers, the Burnaby Central Railway is a charming 1/8 scale miniature railroad that the whole family will love. This hidden gem, located in Confederation Park since 1993, offers a delightful experience for railway enthusiasts and families looking for a fun day out.
Why Visit Burnaby Central Railway?
- A Unique Ride: Climb aboard a miniature train for a 15-minute journey along two miles of track, passing through tunnels, over bridges, and around the scenic 7-acre site.
- Volunteer-Run Passion: The railway is run by passionate volunteers who build and maintain the engines and tracks, adding a special charm to the experience.
- More Than Just Trains: In addition to the main ride, you can see smaller garden-scale model trains, visit a small museum, and enjoy a picnic.
- Affordable Fun: With a nominal fee for rides and free admission to the grounds, it's an inexpensive and memorable outing.
What to See & Do
- Ride the Rails: The main attraction is the ride itself, a delightful trip through the forested parkland.
- Garden Railway: Watch the smaller G and O gauge model trains (both steam and electric) operate on an intricate outdoor layout.
- Concession & Gift Shop: Grab a light snack or pick up a railway-themed souvenir to remember your visit.
- Explore the Park: The railway is part of the larger Confederation Park, which has walking trails, a playground, and a swimming pool.
- Visit the Museum: A small museum is open to visitors, displaying photographs of both full-sized and miniature locomotives, railway memorabilia, and a collection of miniature engines.
Pro Tips
- Operating Season and Hours Burnaby Central Railway is run by volunteers and operates from 11am - 5pm (last ticket sales are at 4:30pm) rain or shine on all weekends and Stat Holidays from Good Friday to Thanksgiving day.
- Stay Safe: Always obey directions from the Conductor and Engineer. Keep a safe distance from the tracks when exploring the grounds. Stay seated with your hands inside the car and your feet on the running boards while riding the train.
Nearby Attractions (Transit-Friendly)
- The Amazing Brentwood: A world-class shopping and entertainment complex, a short bus ride away.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes, there is a nominal fee for rides. Admission to the grounds is free.Burnaby Central Railway Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Address: 120 N Willingdon Ave, Burnaby, BC V5C 6K1, Canada
Phone: (604) 291-0922
Official Website: Burnaby Central Railway
Burnaby Central Railway Reviews
Rated out of 5
Visited the Burnaby Central Railway and had such a great experience!
This is honestly one of the best train ride experiences for families and kids. The ride itself is about 10 minutes long, which feels just right—not too short, not too long.
The price is amazing at only $5 per ride, making it a super affordable outing. Even the food on-site is cheap and reasonably priced, which is rare these days.
The lineup was very reasonable, and things moved smoothly. The only downside is that parking can be a bit tricky since there are limited spots, so it’s best to arrive a little early.
Overall, it was so worth it—fun, affordable, and well-run. Will definitely be coming back again! 🚂
Sharon Buni - 3 months ago
A wonderful spot for miniature train rides and a fun outing for families. My daughter absolutely loved the experience and was so excited to try the different trains and tracks available. There’s a nice variety that keeps kids engaged and entertained. It’s well organized and enjoyable for both children and adults. I’d recommend going early in the day to avoid crowds and have more time to enjoy everything. A great place to make sweet memories with your little ones!
Yogesh Gotarkar - 5 months ago
April 6 2026 - what a great place to take family and kids. They have 2 real mini steam locomotives and upwards of 10 trains including the ones in the shop. There was 4 or 5 going at the same time, weaving around, changing tracks, going through tunnels, going over bridges. We thought it was just miniature electric trains however, there is a network of railway tracks meandering all over the place back in the forest where you can not see! Only 5 dollars CAD per token for a 10 minute train ride! So many other things do and look at. Coming back for sure and reccomend this to anyone that wants to enjoy the parks and pools, track and field for sports, or want to have a BBQ.
P Nguyen - 3 months ago
Absolutely exceeded expectations. We went during the long weekend and the line moved quickly. The track was filled with little touches of whimsy and interest, with bridges, tunnels, decorations and signage were all so cool. The model train areas outdoors and indoors were both so well done and fun to see. To the volunteers, thank you for sharing your joy and skills with us, we loved it!
Amy - 2 months ago
Beyond impressed by this place. Amazing experience for small kids. We went with my 14 month old baby and absolutely loved it. Everyone is so welcoming. We rode the train with the baby and small dog.
Azucena Okie Kerr - a month ago
Directions
| Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| #130 Bus | From Metrotown Station | ~20 Mins |
| #134 Bus | From Brentwood Station | ~10 Mins |
How to get to Burnaby Central Railway by Bus
From Metrotown Station, take the #130 bus from the bus loop. Get off at Willingdon Avenue and Penzance Drive, then walk east into Confederation Park to the railway entrance.
From Brentwood Town Centre Station, take the #134 bus from the bus loop. Get off at Willingdon Avenue and Penzance Drive, then walk east into the park.
From downtown Vancouver, you can also take the R5 Hastings St RapidBus to Willingdon Avenue and walk about 10 minutes north to the park entrance.
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Photo Gallery
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Old fashion Candyshop at Burnaby Village Museum cc licensed photo by Mike W. -
Photo Credit: Alei -
Photo Credit: Adhham Farook -
Photo Credit: Victor Law -
Photo Credit: 吉达星 -
Photo Credit: Cilvia Zhou