Train Acres fundraiser near Benalto returns Sept. 12-13 for children's hospitals
A miniature railway built over a decade on a rural property near Benalto is opening for a two-day charity event, with proceeds going to children's hospital foundations in Edmonton and Calgary.
Ernie and Dorinda Beskowiney are hosting the second annual Train Acres Miniature Railway fundraiser on September 12 and 13 at their property at 39014 Range Road 30 near Benalto. The event raises money for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation in Edmonton and the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation in Calgary.
For $15, visitors can ride the four-kilometre miniature railway, a full loop taking about 30 minutes. Ernie built the trains himself using steel, aluminum and 3D-printed parts, with some designed as exact replicas of real locomotives, the product of more than 35,000 hours of work since 2015.
Ernie said he was motivated to support children's hospital foundations after his grandson, born at the Ottawa Children's Hospital, defied early health warnings from doctors and grew up healthy. Tickets are available online at trainacres.com, with food trucks, free parking and washrooms on site.
Last year's inaugural event drew about 1,500 rides and raised roughly $22,000 over two days. Organizers are expecting around 3,000 visitors this year and hope to raise even more for the cause.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.