For the second time this summer, the Little Prince has to be sequestered in its palace.
The Little Prince is the affectionate nickname for the miniature train that rolls around Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park, operated by The Exploration Place museum and science centre.
It may be small, as trains go, but it is still a fully functioning steam locomotive pulling trolley cars on real steel rails. All of those things involved fire and sparks.
"With the reports of the temperatures on the rise and special air quality advisories daily, The Exploration Place will again voluntarily shut down the 105-year-old Little Prince steam engine," said Amanda Smedley, the museum's deputy director. "This is out of the abundance of caution relating to tinder dry conditions and a wood-fired steam boiler."
The closure dates will be in effect until Wednesday but the decision will be reevaluated as per the weather conditions.
"Hopefully with the chance of rain in the forecast we can reopen on Aug. 17. Stay tuned," Smedley said. "In the meantime Fort George Railway Station scoop shop will be open so you can come on down to enjoy locally made Frozen Paddle ice cream from Thursday to Monday, 12-8 p.m."
The Exploration Place is also a family orientated place to beat the heat. The environmental conditions are controlled and comfortable inside the museum's building so children can kid around in their natural habitat and parents can feel the relief.
