The Little Prince is in big trouble if funds aren't put forward to keep the beloved train on the rails by next spring.
Tracy Calogheros,CEO of The Exploration Place, presented the need for repair of the train and it's holding facility at a council meeting Monday night.
"These are major issues and we are hoping council gets this on the schedule for next spring," Calogheros said.
The Little Prince steam engine is the only operational narrow-gauge engine in Canada and has been making its rounds at Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park since Canada Day, 1978.
"It has a 24-inch gauge engine. This is what makes it so unique," Calogheros said.
But the need for repair is inevitable.
"The storage facility building has open leaks and floods steadily in the winter," Calogheros said.
"It's a double-edged sword really. Without the building being fixed, we will not be able to provide regular maintenance to the train."
The railroad in the park is also the shortest railroad in Canada at 2.2 kilometres and is classified as an authentic railroad. The same rules apply as with any other railroad and there are hopes in the future of having the track line extended in the future.
The City of Prince George owns the train, the rails and the building and sets aside about $25,000 in operating costs annually.
The Exploration Place is contracted by the city to look after the Little Prince and manages its storage, maintenance and operation.
Last year, the total operating cost was $108,000.
"We are grateful that council has referred this to staff for further consideration," Calogheros said.
City councillors agreed that there was a need to maintain the train, a valuable historical artifact which has become a true staple in Prince George as families take to the rails every summer.
"I think the romance of the railway reminds everyone of a bygone era," Calogheros said.
"And that's what triggers people's interest. It's the romance of the train."
The Little Prince was built by Davenport (Iowa) Locomotive Works in 1912 and did not fully operate until 1918.
Prior to this, the train was on display at the Via Rail building for 35 years before making its way to Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park.
Today, the Little Prince continues to charm the community and runs from May to October.
