Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions
A Major Alberta Attraction - Great For The Whole Family
"Teddy Bear Special" (A) Excursions
Teddy Bear Specials are one of two types of diesel-powered excursions designed specifically for the entertainment of children. Discounted fares and children's entertainment make these trips very popular with families with children. Children 10 and under ride free when accompanied by their bears and a parent/guardian.
10:30
a.m. - Passengers arrive and train available for boarding
11:00 a.m. - Train departs Stettler station
- Passengers will be served by a full complement of Alberta Prairie hosts, hostesses and train operating crew.
- 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.
- On-board public address system keeps passengers abreast of features along route, history of the area and things to see and do at destinations.
- Gabriel Dumont, Métis buffalo hunter and hero of the Riel Rebellion will move about the train greeting and meeting passengers.
- During your journey, we pass through some of the best farm lands in Alberta rich with various kinds of animals, birds and plant life. Sightings of deer and coyotes are common.
- On route points of interest include the Fenn-Big Valley oilfields, Fenn General Store, Warden Jct. rail yards and locomotive shelter, and Caprona siding.
- Passengers will be encouraged to wander, visit and re-discover the sights, sounds and smells of turn-of-the-century train travel.
- Somewhere on route the train may be 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. It is Gabriel Dumont's job to try and protect Alberta Prairie's patrons.
- Clowns and special children's sing-along entertainers move about the train entertaining and their parent/guardians.
12:35 p.m. - Train arrives at Big Valley
- Passengers are met by the good people of Big Valley and are directed to community hall for supper.
- Menu usually 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.
- During your stop at this typical rural Alberta town, 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.
2:30 p.m. - Passengers return to train
- All the children and their bears are invited to join Alberta Prairie's staff and entertainers for a Teddy Bear Promenade. Everyone receives a gift or prize for their participation.
3:00 p.m. - Depart Big Valley bound for Stettler
- Entertainment in the coaches continues as passengers relax and enjoy an afternoon journey through the beautiful rolling hills of this part of Alberta.
3:55 p.m. - Train arrives at Stettler station
