Family-friendly Ghost Train ready to roll again

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The train begins and rides through several displays of Halloween at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Volunteers, who look a lot like zombies, work on the zombie containment zone at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A large metal dragon with a nearly full moon behind it at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A Ghost Train hat the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A tunnel, partially decorated at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A giant dinosaur head, that will be lit, will menace train riders on the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A cowboy skeleton on a horse skeleton stands beside the train tracks at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A mill, that will have running water, at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Volunteers working on a set at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Sherwood Station, at the entrance to the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A skeleton in a band at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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The L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Volunteers helping with painting and preparing the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A cemetery at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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The train entering the Davis Mine at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A 300-pound metal dragon, that will breathe fire, at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Pumpkins on a boardwalk along the train tracks at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A skeleton in the Davis Mine at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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An old man in a shack with a still at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Tall inflatables, with Halloween projections on rock walls, at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Gargoyles along the tracks at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A creepy doll at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A skeleton band on a flatbed rail car with a crane at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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An old ghoul with a baby in a rocking chair at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Huge bugs on a trash can at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A display at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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A couple displays, with train track running between it, at the L.A. Live Streamers Ghost Train at Griffith Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Under a mad pace, several spooky exhibits are under construction to be ready for opening on Friday, October 13th. This event is an LALSRM annual fundraiser and tickets are $20 per rider. The Ghost Train returns this year, after being off last year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

By Jeff Landa

Oct. 6, 2017 2:10 PM PT

After a year off, local residents can once again board the “Ghost Train” in Griffith Park as part of the 17th annual Halloween-themed event staged by the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum.

The Live Steamers is a nonprofit of train enthusiasts who convert their year-round 1/8-scale trains and track system into a haunted ride for guests across roughly 30 professional Halloween displays.

Diana Manchester, the nonprofit’s art director, said the organization’s members are excited to return after taking last year off for facility maintenance, and they hope past attendees will enjoy the new displays.

“Many of the displays will be ones people have seen over the years, but we always try and change it with twists and turns that we’ve never done before,” she said.

Returning will be a steam engine operated by skeletons, a pirates’ cove and an abandoned mine.

For the first time, there will be a “zombie containment zone,” which will be a fake warehouse dedicated to the undead. A 350-pound, fire-breathing, metal dragon will also debut this year.

Manchester said she likes to remind attendees about Ghost Train’s family-friendly atmosphere, with no actors in scary costumes jumping out of dark areas, no blood and no gore.

Gary Baker, who has produced the event since its inception, will return this year. He also produces a Halloween festival called “Midsummer Scream” at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The Ghost Train is also an annual fundraiser for the nonprofit to help pay for maintenance of the 13-acre railroad facility and museum.

The Live Steamers was founded in 1956 by lovers of all things railroad. Many of the trains are owned, operated or renovated by the group’s volunteer members, who also operate the Ghost Train.

This year’s Ghost Train will run for 11 nights from 7 to 10 p.m. over three weekends this month, starting on Oct. 13. The event will also be held on Halloween, which falls on a Tuesday this year.

For more information, visit facebook.com/laghosttrain.

jeff.landa@latimes.com

Twitter: @JeffLanda