Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions begins its season on Saturday, May 17. The one-day train excursions departing from the town of Stettler include a tasty dinner, beautiful scenery, and an old west story line.
Most trips are headed to Big Valley which once was a flourishing coal mine operational in the 1920’s. At its peak, the tiny town of now 340 had over 5000 people. The town includes a train station from 1912 restored into an adorable museum filled with beautiful old photos and blueprints of the old coal mine.
The season opening week will be on a steam engine train, and will include a story line of the “Bolton Gang” outlaws whose plans to rob the train are foiled by Canadian Metis hero, Gabriel Dumont. After a gun battle Clint Eastwood would be proud of, the loot the outlaws took from passengers is recovered. Since it’s impossible to tell who the cash belongs to, it is donated to a number of children’s charities.
Hollywood movies have frequently been made using Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions rare steam engine trains. The Brad Pitt classic “Legends of a Fall” is just on of many great movies made in Stettler.
Stettler is located three hours from Calgary and one hour north of Drumheller. The price of an adult ticket ranges from $85 to $130.
For more information visit
www.absteamtrain.com, or call (403) 742-2811.