Travel Tips

Alberta Prairie offers an exciting half day adventure on board a real steam or diesel-powered train. I am a steam train enthusiast, so I choose the excursion date at 13th July because I can meet two steam engines in one trip.

The trip I choose called Second day of Rail Fans Special: - During this trip the locomotive No. 41 will pull the train to Big Valley and No. 6060 will pull it back to Stettler. Departs Stettler 11:00 a.m. Returns Stettler 4:25 p.m.

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10:30 a.m. - Passengers arrive and train available for boarding
11:00 a.m. - Train departs Stettler station

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Typically the train features two concession and souvenir areas, open air observation car, children's play area, two beverage service areas, a special coach designated and decorated as the Lone Star Saloon. This special Saloon coach usually, but not always, features continuous live entertain.

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Somewhere on route the train is stopped by the notorious Bolton Gang. This group of heavily armed horsemen have a habit of robbing trains, extracting loose change from passengers and taking hostages.

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12:35 p.m. - Train arrives at Big Valley.
- During the stop at Big Valley, passengers will have a chance to visit a fully restored 1912 Canadian Northern Railway station which also doubles as the community's museum, historic St. Edmund's church (the blue church on the hill), Jimmy Jock Boardwalk (an old time Western town within a town) the railway roundhouse interpretive centre and wander through this community's shops and stores as they meet the people of Big Valley.

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Upon arrival the passengers are directed to community hall for supper.

- Menu consists of a full home cooked country meal including roast hip of beef, vegetables, salads, baked potatoes, dinner rolls, dessert and beverages.

- Before, during and after supper passengers are encouraged to explore Big Valley and visit its many interesting attractions.

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Our return trip is hauled by another steam engine CN6060 (Spirit of Alberta). Picture took during the engine hooking up with our coaches.

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2:30 p.m. - Depart Big Valley bound for Stettler. Train arrives Stettler station at 3:55 p.m.

- Entertainment in the coaches continues as passengers relax and enjoy the return trip among the beautiful rolling hills of this part of Alberta.

Link to Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions Official Web Site