Maiden Voyage for Edward Gillette

The 2009 Holiday Express marked the maiden voyage for the newest piece of restored equipment at the 1880 Train.
Car #65, Edward Gillette, has been added to the line-up at the train, raising the total of restored passenger cars to nine.
The Edward Gillette car is a combine car originally used at the Oregon Electric Railway.


Image from the Ken Harrison Collection

The car was named after a Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy engineer. Those familiar with the history of the Black Hills Central Railroad know that it was also the CB&Q that created the High Line through the Black Hills, a spur off of which the 1880 Train now operates. Gillette, Wyoming was also named after Edward, perhaps because of his help mapping a shorter, and money saving, route for the railroad.


Edward Gillette
wyomingtalesandtrails.com

The Edward Gillette car has been done in a similar style to our other Oregon Electric Railway cars, Oreville and Keystone. These details include stained glass, upholstered seats, and several different hard woods in the car interior.





Visit us this summer and get the chance to ride in this beautiful car!

Mt. Rushmore cancels its Fireworks Display

On Wednesday, January 13th, Mt. Rushmore National Memorial released a statement that the 2010 July 3rd fireworks display has been canceled due to "the unacceptable risk they pose to the fragile condition of the Black Hills forests in and around the memorial resulting from extensive damage from an epidemic of mountain pine beetles."

With the cancellation of the display, we will not be offering the Fireworks Express in 2010. As an alternative, the train will be running a 6:45 pm departure in its place. This is a regular season train ride and will be $22.00 for adults and $12.00 for children.

If you have any questions, feel free to call our office at 605-574-2222.

Engine No. 7 Quick Facts

- 1919 Baldwin Steam Locomotive Number 7 is the oldest steam locomotive at the BHCRR.
- It has a wheel arrangement of 2-6-2.
- It is the only locomotive at the BHCRR that pulls a tender.
- No. 7 is only powerful enough to pull four train cars.
- Of the three steam locomotives at the BHCRR, it has appeared the most in tv shows and movies.

Tickets Now Available for 2010!

Prospective passengers are now able to start making reservations for the 2010 season. All regular season 1880 Train departures are available, as well as the Fireworks Express Event, which will be in it's seventh year. For those that are looking ahead to next Fall and Winter, reservations are also available for the train's Wine Express Into The West, and Holiday Express.

Reservations for these train rides can be made by using our online system at www.1880train.com, or by calling our office at 605-574-2222.

Ticket prices for the 2010 season will remain $22.00 for adults and $12.00 for children ages 3-12. Children under the age of 3 ride for free on an adult's lap.

The 2010 Fireworks Express will be $68.00 for adults and $35.00 for children ages 3-20. Book your 3rd of July tickets in advance, they go fast! Check back on our website for the details of this patriotic train ride!