Summerland British Columbia - COVID has derailed plans for Kettle Valley Steam Railway's Christmas Train in Summerland again this year.
 
The crew was hopeful it would work this year, but when their deadline rolled around on 1 Nov 2021, the outlook was not good enough.
 
"We were holding out hope as long as we could," said Julia Belmonte, business manager with the Kettle Valley Steam Railway.
 
"It was definitely a hard decision to make, we're so sad we can't host everyone. I was raised here in Summerland, and I know the Christman Train is a big tradition for a lot of families."
 
Passengers on the Christmas Train have to ride in fully-enclosed cabins which offer less ventilation, compared to the window-less cars that are able to operate during the warmer months.
 
Also, social distancing would be difficult on the train.
 
"We discussed it heavily with management and the board of directors, and we don't want to be the reason someone's Christmas got ruined," she said.
 
The Christmas Train was also cancelled in 2020 due to COVID.
 
"Our fingers crossed it'll happen next year."
 
However there is still a way to see the iconic engine, which will be fully decorated in Christmas lights, as the train station is inviting the public to its holiday markets on 2 and 3 Dec 2021 from 15:30 to 19:30, and the lit-up locomotive will be there both nights.
 
Dan Walton.