Big Valley, Alberta

Less than four hundred people live here. For some reason it looks bigger until you look for a gas station and cannot find one. If there is one it is well hidden. This is one of my issues when heading out to the countryside, gas stations can be very few and very far between.

Apparently there was a coal mining operation a few miles north of town years ago. I found that out after my visit when I was doing a little research. It had snowed the day before and some of the side roads are gravel. With a little moisture sometimes they turn to mud so sometimes it pays to err on the side of caution.

Founded in 1907. Like a lot of Alberta towns, it started with ranching and then coal. The rail line has been preserved and steam train rides are offered from Big Valley to Stettler during the tourist season. The station was completed in 1912 and is the original.

Train station from the main road.

Big Valley, Alberta train station April 26, 2015 

View from the tracks. It was closed when I was there. The pros of checking out stuff at this time of year is that I usually have the place to myself. The cons are that places are usually closed.

Big Valley, Alberta  train station April 26, 2015

Big Valley, Alberta train station April 26, 2015

They made an effort to keep things authentic.

Big Valley, Alberta  train station April 26, 2015

Big Valley, Alberta  train station April 26, 2015

Big Valley, Alberta  train station April 26, 2015

Passenger trains that were not accessible until tourist season. The tracks end at the grain elevator. The original rail line extended many miles south to a number of communities. From just past the grain elevator the tracks have been ripped up and the steel salvaged.

Big Valley, Alberta old passenger cars April 26, 2015

I would like to get a view of the inside of this one.

Big Valley, Alberta old passenger cars April 26, 2015

Big Valley, Alberta grain elevator April 26, 2015