Canadian Northern Society

The Canadian Northern Society maintains historic railway stations and other structures in three central Alberta communities: Camrose, Meeting Creek, and Big Valley.

Camrose Heritage Railway Station and Park is a beautifully preserved 1911 railway station featuring interactive displays, including the telegraph and safe in the agent operator’s office. Also on the grounds are the historic watchman’s shelter and bunkhouse; the Sparling shelter, which houses our collection of speeders (track cars used by maintenance crews); and thirteen heritage gardens. The Morgan Garden Railway features G-scale trains that travel through scale models of Camrose, Meeting Creek, and Big Valley. Families will enjoy the Children’s Secret Garden, with a wooden train for children to play on. Our gift shop is filled with unique, gently used treasures, and our library has an extensive collection of books about railway, local, and prairie history. 

The Meeting Creek Railway and Linear Trails Historic Site will take you back in time to the beautiful Meeting Creek valley. The site features two designated Provincial Historic Resources, the 1913 Canadian Northern Railway Station and the 1918 Alberta Pacific Grain Elevator, both of which are available for tours. Also on site is the restored prairie grassland, with a labyrinth, trails, and interpretive signage about the first Indigenous peoples to call the area home. Take a walk down the linear trails following the old railway line and borrow a discovery kit from the station to learn about the flora and fauna you’ll see along the way. Geocaching is also available on the northwest trail.  The Big Valley Historic Railway Station and Roundhouse Interpretive Park features a historic 1912 Canadian Northern Railway standard second-class depot, a centrepiece attraction in Big Valley. The station houses local railway heritage displays and a community meeting room, and the garden is often used for picnics. The remains of the railway locomotive shops and servicing area are located across the railway main line to the south of the station. The roundhouse, originally constructed in 1912, looms like colossal “ruins” and is a must-see for all visitors to the village. Also on site is the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame pavilion, a joint project of the Canadian Northern Society and the Railway Association of Canada.

• Speeder rides at Camrose Heritage Railway Station and Park
• Hiking trails at Meeting Creek Railway and Linear Trails Historic Site
• Railway Hall of Fame pavilion at Big Valley Historic Railway Station and Roundhouse Interpretive Park

• Camrose:
  Open from the May long weekend until the last weekend of August.
  Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (when volunteers are available)
  Bookings available during the off season.
  Admission by donation.
• Meeting Creek:
  Buildings open every other weekend during July and August, or by arrangement at any other time.
  Trails and site open year-round.
  Guided tours of the buildings and/or trails available by prior arrangement.
  Admission by donation.
• Big Valley:
  Open from the May long weekend until the last weekend in August, and for all Alberta Prairie Railway Excursion tours.
  Bookings available during the off season.
  Admission by donation.
  
  

Address:
Camrose: 4407 47 Ave, Camrose, AB

Meeting Creek: 5002 50 St, Meeting Creek, AB T0B 2Z0

Big Valley: 56 Railway Ave N, Big Valley, AB T0J 0G0

Directions:

Camrose: Turn south from 48 Ave (Highway 13) onto 44 Street. Camrose Glass (a large red building) is on the corner. We are one block south of the highway, where the road turns and becomes 47 Ave.

Meeting Creek: From Highway 56, turn west toward Meeting Creek on TWP Road 431A. Turn southwest (left) on 52 St, then southeast (left) on 50 Ave. Park next to the railway station on the gravel.

Big Valley: From Highway 56, turn west toward Big Valley on Highway 590 (TWP Road 364). Turn right (northeast) on Railway Ave S. Continue until the road becomes Railway Ave N. The station will be on your right (the southeast side of the street).