The Muskeg Express is still off the rails

THUNDER BAY – The city is currently doing test runs for the Muskeg Express ride at Centennial Park, but there is still no timeline for its return to service. 

In early June, the city took the ride offline for repairs.

Cory Halvorsen, manager of Parks and Open Spaces, said they have been working with someone to try to get the ride up and running.

“We've been working with our local consultant that we've worked with all along to evaluate the performance overall and evaluate what had happened at the beginning of the season.

 “In addition to that, we have engaged with another consulting firm who actually specializes in amusement ride train devices. That was a requirement from the TSSA based on the last derailment that we had experienced,” he said.

Halvorsen said they had their site visit on Monday, which took some time to arrange with the firm.

“We were out there doing a few more test runs, sharing the information we had. We're right in the middle of that process right now.

“We'll need a little bit of time for them to give us some of their feedback based on their observations. We're going to continue to do test runs and evaluations based on their recommendations in our work together from this point forward.”

There was acknowledgement from the team the city brought in that all the work they’ve done has been providing great value to improve the ride, he said.

“Now it's just a matter of finding what these last elements are, so that we can control them properly moving forward. Again, we're right in the middle of reviewing what we’ve observed. Going over discussions, going over some of the historical information that we have regarding the ride.

“It's nothing definitive at this point, but we're actively working on it. We're trying to move this along as fast as we can."

Halvorsen said they understand the public is anticipating seeing it open soon, however it's premature for him to commit on a timeline now.

“We really do want to focus on having this ability to work on the ride. Test it while the season permits and test it to the point where our confidence level is as high as it can be before we start talking about opening. But I absolutely understand that's our objective."

There were no "large red flags" brought up that would indicate there isn't an option for the city to reopen the ride, he said.

“It's a combination of the rails itself, the maintenance of them, how the individual rails are connected together. We're looking closer at that. As well as the wheels on the front of the train have really been the focus of a lot of our analysis right down to the profile shape of the wheel and how it rides on the tracks.

“That's what we've done a lot of recording on. With a one-of-a-kind ride set up there is no standardized approach for this. A lot of it does come down to trial and error through the testing process, and seeing stable performance.”

The train's typical season would end after Labour Day weekend.

“We would like to be open before the end of August. But at this point I don't have a timeline."

The city's main goal is to use this season to ensure the beginning of next season is a success, Halvorsen said, adding that there are no current discussions to retire the ride.