About
For the chance to experience a chapter of the Old West on your Black Hills getaway, book a ride on the 1880 Train!
Celebrated as “The World's Oldest Continuously Operated Standard-Gauge Excursion Train in the World,” these steam engines have a way of pulling you into a simpler chapter of American history.
Operated by the Black Hills Central Railroad from mid-May through the Holiday season, this working railway carries passengers on a scenic 20-mile round trip between Hill City and Keystone. Because you have the option to depart from either city, you can choose either a one-way ticket or a round trip.
The railroad's roots date back to the 1880s, when steam engines, nicknamed Iron Horses, moved people, supplies, and ore between Hill City and Keystone.
By the mid-20th century, the mining era faded, and many lines fell quiet and into disrepair. By the 1940s, diesel trains were replacing steam engines, which could have been the end of the story. Thankfully, in the 1950s, train enthusiasts William Heckman and Robert Freer stepped in to preserve some of the old Iron Horses.
Their vision paid off with the creation of the Black Hills Central Railroad that launched its maiden train trip in 1957. What began as a way to preserve a piece of railroading history has evolved into a beloved attraction.
Today, the 1880 Train uses restored steam and diesel locomotives on the same line that once served miners and settlers. Passengers climb aboard authentic railcars and travel through forests, past rock formations, and across challenging grades.
So, hop aboard as we explore in our next section the 1880 Train’s events and experiences.
1880 Train: Fun Facts & Cool Features
The steam locomotives are the stars of the show, literally! Because the locomotives and cars have been painstakingly restored, Hollywood has come knocking. The hit show Gunsmoke featured the 1800 Train in the 1968 episode, “Snow Train.” The steam locomotive also shined in the 1979 film, Orphan Train, and was used by Steven Spielberg in his mini-series, Into The West.
What makes riding a steam-powered train exciting is the sounds the powerful engine makes. You’ll hear the hiss of the boiler, the chuff of the smokestack, and the whistle echoing through the hills. To rail fans and first-timers, the sounds are music to their ears.
The route will appeal to nature and animal lovers, as it climbs and curves through some of the most photogenic terrain in the central Black Hills. You’ll pass through pine forests and rocky cuts, home to animals like white-tailed and mule deer, wild turkeys, woodchucks, mallard ducks, and cottontail rabbits.
As mentioned, you have the option of choosing a one-way trip, which lasts about 1 hour, or the round-trip, which takes 2.5 hours. Aside from the narrated daily trips, the event rides make your Black Hills getaway even more appealing.
One example is the Old West Shootout offered on select Sundays during the summer. At the halfway point of the ride, the train stops for the performance. Actors donning period attire reenact a classic shootout between lawmen and robbers. The family-friendly event gives you a taste of how life was in the Old West.
Other events include Wine Express, Oktoberfest, Holiday Express, and the opportunity to ride in the cab.
A trip on the 1880 Train combines history, scenery, and hands-on nostalgia in a way that appeals to every age. Paired with nearby attractions like Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park, the ride offers a memorable day that blends fun and learning.
Local Tips
- All special events depart from Hill City.
- The train travels at 10-15 mph.
- Choose an open-air car for the best photos and unobstructed views.
- Bring a light jacket, as temperatures in the Black Hills drop even on warm days.
