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Canadian Northern Railway Engine No. 5620

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

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In 1912, the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) built the railroad to what is now Alberta Beach. It brought employees out for company picnics and holidays. By 1920, they had incorporated the area as a summer village, built a dance pavilion, a large wooden pier, and a campground. Other companies such as Marshall Wells (a hardware store) and Woodwards then began to bring their employees out for the same relaxing and beautiful atmosphere.

There was such demand for this atmosphere that the "Moonlight Express" was started (some people remember the train service as "Moonlight Special"). The train would pick people up in Edmonton on Saturday evenings, as most men worked on Saturdays during that time, and took them out to Alberta Beach. The train would then return to the Beach on Sunday night to take the people back to Edmonton. Soon people began purchasing and building their own cabins and small businesses. The families of many current summer residents got their introduction to Alberta Beach from these railway excursions. Indeed, some families became year round residents as transportation and roads made travel to Edmonton and surrounding areas easier.