This year marks Canada's 150th years of Confederation and many special events are planned throughout Canada from coast to coast to coast. One event planned as part of Canada’s 150th Birthday celebrations on June in 2017, is called Rails and Tales and will be an eight-day exposition demonstrating how Canadian railways influenced the culture and the development of our country. It will include daily themes celebrating different sectors of Canadian Society. Current partners involved include Alberta Prairie Railway (Stettler, AB), East Central Alberta Heritage Society (Stettler, AB), Canadian Northern Society (Camrose/Big Valley, AB), The Village of Big Valley (Big Valley, AB), the Alberta Railway Museum (Edmonton, AB), and the Rocky Mountain Rail Society (Calgary, AB.
The Committee is moving ex CN 1392 4-6-0 ( Montreal Locomotive Works 1913) from the Alberta Pioneer Railway Museum down to Stettler Alberta, to operate with APST #41, 1920, 2-8-0 Baldwin, in single and double headed passenger runs to Big Valley, Alberta, 21 miles south. Planned are morning champagne breakfast excursions, evening sundowner and BBQ steak dinner runs. In the siding at Big Valley will be CN 6060, mountain class 4-8-2, 1944 Montreal Locomotive Works, open for cab tours and close-up photo's. As well, on the grounds near the Big Valley train station will be a 4 day exposition of steam, kerosene an gasoline antique agricultural equipment as a Tribute to the Pioneers who settled he West. Big Valley was originally settled by the Metis nation, and there will be a special day to honor them as well as the military and the role the railway played in it's service. There is huge interest in this event and growing daily, since the last time an event of this size was done was over 30 years ago.

www.railsandtales.ca
www.absteamtrain.com
www.albertarailwaymuseum.com