Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listnin'?

October brought us early snows, but as far as November went, we felt like we were back in August!

Finally, there's the white stuff on the ground and it's perfect timing because today we begin the task of decorating for the Christmas season. It will be a winter wonderland at the train this year. We've got blue lights and snowflakes abound!

2009's flying by. Our Holiday Express will be upon us before we know it. If you have family traveling to the Black Hills for this Thanksgiving, the Holiday Express is the perfect activity. Our first weekend is Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th of November. The train will be headed to the North Pole at both 4:15 pm and 6:00 pm. Give us a call at 605-574-2222.

Spook-tacular

The snow in the Hill City area is almost gone, only a few plowed piles in the ditch are hanging on. It finally feels like Halloween!

The Fright Train will be pulling out of station this year on the 31st. There's a couple new scares in store along with a couple favorites. We're confident our passengers are in for a hauntingly good time.

We've got some great shots from last year's Fright Train.







Join the fun! Give us a call at 605-574-2222 and make reservations!

Shop Updates for Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Highball! It is that time of the year to begin are 2009 season! With all the efforts and long hours put in by the BHC shop crew, we will be opening the season on Monday, May 4th. We are looking forward to seeing everyone soon, so make your plans and reservations to join us. I will keep everyone posted as progress continues on Car #65, and other major projects in the next coming months. With the long stretch of time between previous updates we were able to gear down and accomplish all our winter projects. Have a great summer, and don't forget to make us your destination!

Joe Belczak (Shop Crew and Staff , Black Hills Central Railroad)

Engine #104
-All new water glasses are installed and work great.
-Boiler hydro. was successful, and we will see 104 running in the first week of the season.
-Currently #104 is awaiting its test run and building up steam pressure.



Engine #110
-After many weeks of intense shop, we will see 110 under steam during opening week!
-The past weeks were spent putting all piping and appliances back on the boiler sides.



-After 110's test run, the locomotive will be operating daily with our seven car train.

Engine #7
-Currently, #7 awaits boiler repair and inspection. At this time of the season #7 will be shopped, and will await its hydro. when all repairs are made. Now that all major repairs on #110 are complete the shop crew will be able to spend more time with #7, and determine if it will operate for the 2009 season.

Car #65 (The New Car)
-The car shop has seen more and more progress with the car every day. Wall supports are in place and sub floor is complete.



-Since last post, #65 trucks have been completely disassembled and inspected.
-Due to years of use and abuse, all brake rigging was rebushed, and awaits assembly.
-New springs were delivered and await assembly to bolster.
-As soon as trucks are complete the shop crew will direct there attention to all plumbing and undercarriage work.

Here before you know it!

Time is flying by and before you know it, the summer season will be in full swing again! Reservations keep coming in as people plan to make their way to South Dakota this summer.

This year we're allowing our customers to reserve special event tickets online besides the regular train tickets. The result is that events like the Fireworks Express are already more than half sold out! Remember Mother's Day is right around the corner, it's the first event of the year.

We don't open our doors for another twelve days, but the yard is already full of activity. The gift shop staffs of both the Hill City and Keystone depot have been hard at work with their spring cleaning and merchandise is coming in.

The round house has assembled the car line-up infront of the Hill City depot. Our opening day will run four cars with engine #104 pulling the train. Maintanance is hard at work getting some last minute landscaping done and de-winterising the buildings.

The snack bar will be expanding the breakfast menue and will be offering 'Famous Meal Deals' this season. Look for them to open on May 23rd!

No, It's not Christmas

The snow is flying outside, but believe it or not, it's March and not December. This marks the second blizzard in a little over a week. We went through a moment of déjà vu this morning. Last Monday was also in blizzard conditions. This snow storm doesn't look like it's going to be quite as big in the central part of the Hills, but we've received a couple inches so far. I'm ready for the end of South Dakota's annual Spring snow storms, but hopefully all this moisture means no forest fires in the Black Hills this summer! Regardless of my Spring fever, I couldn't resist putting a hot chocolate packet in my lunch this morning.

I snapped a few quick photos this morning. I felt like I should be doing a Holiday Express photo shoot!

Shop updates for Friday, March 6, 2009

Work continues on all are big projects for this year. With the winter season coming to an end, the 1880 train crew is in high gear to finish all major projects. We are ambitious to start other projects in the weeks to come as well. Time goes by faster when March comes around, so updates might be more spread out. So much to do and so little time before the start of the season! Looking forward to seeing our passengers soon! Enjoy!
Joe Belczak (Staff and crew of Black Hills Central Railroad)

Engine #110

-Work continues on the final touches to the boiler side sheets. All staybolt heads are rounded over on engineer's side, and weep holes cleaned out. Mounting studs for air cylinders, pipe hangers, and power reverser are installed. Once fireman's side sheet is finished, the crew can concentrate on putting rest of furniture together on boiler, and perform annual hydro. test.



Both draw bars are finished, and were installed back into their pockets. Due to a very rotted out front bumper, the crew replaced the old bumper with a sturdy metal one. The talented crew fabricated a new bumper and installed it into position using all existing holes. More stairs and rails will be added to front pilot of engine to make servicing the large compound compressors more efficient during noon servicing and start-up. An improved pin lifter has been fabricated to make uncoupling the locomotive from the cars easier.





-All valve packing has been installed to cylinders, and now new brasses are being milled for 110's side rods. Once brasses are complete, all rods and cranks will be installed back on wheels, and locomotive will be ready for its test run.

Engine #104
-New water glasses were installed and await a final fitting. Lights will have to be made for glasses, so they can be seen on the evening trips much easier.



New Car #65
-A lot of progress has been made to car frame in the past weeks. All channel timber is in place, and cross timber is presently being installed. Steel vertical posts in baggage compartment have been repaired and installed. Next items awaiting installation are rest of flooring timber supports, horizontal steel rods, truss rods, and various other pieces of hardware.

-The project of rebuilding the car's trucks is under way, and 50% of the North truck is completed. What we consider the "A" truck needed new channel iron and a rebuild of the braking components. Currently the A truck awaits new leaf springs and a new bolster pocket. Once truck is overhauled, the B truck will receive the same treatment.