The Alberta Railway Museum, about 15 kilometres north of Edmonton, is an outdoor museum dedicated to the railway history of Alberta and the Canadian west. The collection spans locomotives, freight cars, passenger coaches, and maintenance equipment from the late nineteenth century through the diesel era — over 75 pieces of rolling stock spread across several hectares of track.
The museum operates steam train rides on special weekends from May to September, using restored locomotives that require significant volunteer effort to maintain and operate. Riding a coal-fired steam train across a few kilometres of Alberta prairie is a specific pleasure. The museum also has a roundhouse with restoration work in progress, and knowledgeable volunteers who can explain what they're working on.
The collection is larger and less polished than a major national railway museum, which is part of its appeal — the machines are real, the setting is functional, and the atmosphere is enthusiast rather than exhibit. Admission is charged; check the museum's schedule for steam operating days before visiting.