December Holiday Express Dates Still Available

Last Friday and Saturday was the kick off weekend for the Holiday Express. We had perfect weather, and I think everyone, young and old alike, had a great time.

If you didn't get a chance to ride last weekend, there are still three more Holiday Express dates to choose from. We'll be headed for the North Pole again on December 12th, 19th, and 23rd. We have two departure times on all three dates. The Holiday Express will go at 4:15 pm and again at 6:00 pm.

Call now to reserve your tickets as times are filling up. The office phone number is 605-574-2222. Reservations can also be made at www.1880train.com.


The North Pole at Oblivion


Three elves getting the train ready for it's trip to the North Pole.


The Hill City Depot gets decked out in holiday cheer.

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.

Shop Updates for February 13, 2009

I guess the word for the month down at the BHC Roundhouse the past few weeks is "BUSY!"
We were able to get a lot of tasks accomplished and new ones started. Our jobs that we accomplished are bringing us closer and closer to the start of another terrific season. Repairs on Engine #110 boiler are being completed, and soon we will be shopping engine #7 for its yearly inspection and repairs. The new car #65 will be seeing its new wood in the next weeks to come. Please visit the 1880 train website, and view any other information about our next up coming seasonal events. Also, you can enter this Blog from our official website.

Enjoy!
Joe Belczak (Shop Crew and Staff Black Hills Central Railway)

Engine #110

-All new boiler sheets are in position on fire man's side, and are currently be welded in place. Over 100 holes were drilled in side sheets to accommodate stay bolts and rivet holes along the mud ring. Holes will next be threaded for stay bolts, and rivet holes will be bored out to ensure proper rivet fit.

-Boiler side sheets on engineer's side require a few more flexible stay bolts, and flattening of all rigid staybolt heads. The next step will be to make sure all weep holes on rigid staybolts are free of any debris, and install caps on the flexible stay bolts. After a complete final inspection all parts will be reinstalled to boilers sides, and boiler will be ready for its yearly hydro test.

-All piston valves have new rings, and are installed in the newly bored valve cages. Crosshead guides were put into place last week, and all the valves await new packing. Valve gear will be ready to be connected in the weeks ahead.

Engine #104

-Though a lot of time is being spent on #110, the shop crew managed to rebuild rear pony leaf springs and repair the worn out spots in the rear suspension rigging. Last week entire rear suspension was reassembled, and concludes #104's suspension repairs.


Passenger Car Mystic

-Last week completed the final touches on Mystic's new brake system. After a successful air test, the passenger car was pulled out of the shop with a clean bill of health, and resides now in the yard awaiting the start of the 2009 summer season.

New Car #65

-Work on the new car is in full speed, and much was completed in the past weeks.

-Frame was sand blasted and repaired where necessary. Within the next week, entire frame will be finished, and wooden beams installed.

-#65's trucks were moved into roundhouse last week. In the weeks ahead, trucks will be disassembled and inspected. Much work needs to be done to trucks, but once complete trucks will be installed under frame and all brake rigging attached.

YouTube Contest Winner

In 2008, the Train held a YouTube contest for videos of the ride between Hill City and Keystone. We had five great entries, but in the end, gothpapa was the winner.

The grand prize was valued at $1,000.00 and included:
+ A three night stay for two at the Golden Spike in Hill City, SD
+ 1880 Train tickets
+ Admission to Bear Country
+ Admission to Reptile Gardens
+ Rushmore Cave tickets
+ Mt. Rushmore National Memorial
+ Admission to Crazy Horse
+ Enterance to Custer State Park
+ The Trial of Jack McCall
+ Mammoth Site
+ Lunch at the Alpine Inn

Check out his video!

Field Trip!

Last Friday, we took an outing to hit the slopes at Terry Peak. It was a beautiful day for skiing, we had sunshine, warm weather, and the slopes weren't too busy. Three of the guys from the Roundhouse went, as well as the three of us from up in the office.

A few of us brushed up on the basics in a ski lesson and by noon, we were all ready for a short break in the lodge. We stayed until the mountain closed (4:00) and we're all ready to go back for some more! Hopefully the snow sticks around a little longer, if this warm weather keeps up it'll be Spring in no time!

BHC Shop Updates for January 23, 2009

Another busy week for the shop team at BHC Rilroad. We were able to accomplish many big tasks this week. With the 2009 season coming up quickly we are putting are efforts into high gear and striving to complete all our goals. Please check the 1880 train website for upcoming schedules and times for events for 2009. Also, soon you will be able to access this blog fro the train web site. Enjoy!
Joe Belczak (Crew and Staff Black Hills Central Railway)

Engine #110
-All rigid stay bolt holes are threaded, and stay bolts inserted into holes. Next step is to finish stay bolt heads off, and prep flexible stay bolt holes and insert the proper stay bolts. Fireman's side sheets are cut and awaiting the correct size holes drilled in new sheet. Once holes are drilled, new sheets will be welded into place and same process as other side. Below are the last two weeks of boiler work.













All high pressure valve rings have been made and await assembly into valve. Low pressure rings require some more machining in the next week. Once rings are assembled to valve, all cylinders will be put back together.

Car Shops
Mystic
-All new AB brake parts have been cleaned, assembled, and repainted. New manifold and valves await assembly to under carriage of car. Air reservoir requires some replacement gaskets and reassembly. Once reservoir is assembled, it will be installed under the car. Brake rigging will be hooked up including all plumbing.



The New Car
-Car frame is completely stripped, and awaits rebuild in certain areas.
-All brake apparatus has been rebuilt and ready to install on car frame.

BHC Shop Update for January 16, 2009

Welcome to another addition of BHC shop updates. Please excuse the lack of photographs, but plan on seeing them in future Blogs. The Shop has been quite busy still with projects from last week, and we have added some more to the list. It is quite a major under taking to restore and preserve antique equipment, but it is well worth the labor involved. I especially look forward to the enjoyment on peoples faces when they take a trip with us! Hope to see more and more people ride the train every year with us, and share the experience with our future generations.

Joe Belczak (BHC Railroad Staff and Crew)

Engine #110
-Work continues on boiler side sheets. Engineer's sheets are in place and await their stay bolts. All stay bolt holes have been threaded, and lower rivets replaced on bottom of side sheet. I will have pictures next week, so stay tuned. Fireman's side sheets are currently being evaluated, and new sheet pieces will be added.

-Rear draw bar awaits new cushion springs, and coupler pocket rebuild is near completion.

-Valve rings are in the process of being manufactured and will be installed on valves in weeks to come.

Engine #104
-Minimal work has been completed this week on locomotive due to the large efforts being completed on 110. I will post current projects when work is completed.

BHC Car Department

-The Car Department is up in full swing with a couple major projects. With yearly car inspection done to all rolling stock, time is being focused on "Mystic" and our new car.

Mystic
-After reviewing car construction, Mystic will not receive any structural support rebuilding at this time. Car is in great shape and time needs to be spent on some of its mechanical factors first.

-Due to the age of car and its original brake rigging, the car department has decided to update the brake rigging. The new AB brake rigging will be more efficient to maintain, and provide a longer mechanical life to the car. Brake cylinder, air reservoir, and plumbing has been removed and new brake cylinder, air reservoir, manifold, valves, plumbing, and proper linkage will be installed in its place. New brake cylinder and manifold has been rebuilt and await installation. New air reservoir awaits sand blasting, hydro test, and painting.

New Car
-Our contractors have been working busily on removing all wood to the frame. So far, the frame of the car seems to be in good condition and will be able to be prepped soon. All brake parts have been cleaned and serviced by BHC crew, and await their installation under the car frame. Air reservoir passed its hydro test and awaits installation also. All main wooden support beams that span the entire car have been delivered. Crew awaits final clean-up of old wood on the car, so the iron can be inspected and worked on. BHC crew has also found new draft gears, couplers, and draw bars for the car.

Welcome to the BHC Shops

What’s Happening at the Black Hills Central Railroad Shops

Welcome to the Black Hills Central Railroad Shop Blog. This page is designed to give a weekly report to all interested parties on all projects and repairs happening at the train roundhouse. Currently the BHC is having a car restoration being performed by local private contractors. Listed below are all the pieces of equipment and tasks being performed by the talented BHC shop crew for the preparation of another busy train season here at the 1880 Train. We will be updating the progress of all our tasks weekly, so sit back and enjoy!

Joe Belczak (Shop Crew and Staff BHC Railroad)


Engine #110

-Currently all boiler side sheets will be replaced in the up and coming months. Engineer’s side sheets have been replaced and welded into place. Engineer’s side sheets are awaiting both rigid and flex stay bolt holes to be threaded.

-All cylinder cages have been rebored, and await new cylinder piston rings. Rings will be cut in the next few weeks.

-Both coupler drawbars are being inspected and repaired where extreme wear is evident. Rear drawbar is awaiting new cushion springs, and the final touches are just about done to the drawbar pockets in there build-up.


Engine #104

-Currently the BHC crew is in the process of rebuilding suspension parts that lead to rear pony truck; that includes rebuilding pony truck leaf springs and hanger parts. Front suspension assembly has been inspected and repaired where necessary.

-Both steam cylinders have been inspected, cleaned and disassembled. Fireman’s side piston awaits a new casted head, while both sides require new piston rings.

-The BHC bought new water glasses to replace the old hard-to-read ones. Currently, new water glasses have been taken apart, cleaned, and await assembly. Water glass fixtures await plumbing and mounting. This includes new lights for visibility.


Car Department

-Currently the car shop awaits new wheels and axles to replace the heavily used ones under various pieces of our equipment. They have been ordered and will be manufactured in the next month by a private company.

-All passenger cars have had their yearly inspection, and await the start of a new season. However, the open car “Mystic” will be receiving some structural repairs and its yearly inspection.


The New Car !!

-Since the project recently began, there is no name for this car yet. The new car will be quite different than are two other restored coaches, but it will resemble its original appearance as an interurban Combine Car. The car will be a great addition to the BHC car roster, because it will be able to host special groups and concessions.

-Currently our private contractors have been disassembling the very few pieces left of the original car. The contracting crew is spending meticulous time labeling and numbering all structural parts, and processing their materials order.

-The BHC shop crew has removed all brake plumbing, couplers, and wheel rigging including trucks. New truck and coupler assembly will be done in-house, and brake rigging will be done by BHC shop crew also.

Ringing In The New Year

The excitement is in the air, so many new things are in the works for 2009. Keep an eye out for a new addition to the rolling stock. Another of the 1913 interurban passenger cars is in the process of being restored. To date, car number 112, Oreville, and car number 125, Keystone, have been completely restored. Car number 133, Addie Camp, has never been completely restored. We affectionately called it our 'antique car', and it is our best look into what the cars originally looked like.



Also, the South Dakota State Railroad Museum is being constructed south of the Hill City Depot.



New projects are always in the works to maintain and improve the train yard.

Come visit us this year and take a look at all the things we've been working on!