Spectacular Train Ride in the Snow

If you happened to be in Hill City on Sunday, you may have noticed something a little out of the ordinary.

Engine #7 departed the Hill City station with three cars in tow. The train ran to oblivion, the engine switched to the opposite end, and they returned to station.

What was the reason for this special train ride? Country singer, Tracy Lawrence, was filming a video onboard the train.

Martin Fischer, President of High Five Entertainment in Nashville, said, "There's a lot of musical variety in Christmas in the Black Hills, but I believe the audience will really enjoy our on-location segments - Thompson Square on a sleigh ride near Deadwood and Tracy Lawrence on the 1880 Train in Hill City."

"Experiencing the Black Hills and meeting the people who live and work here were the highlights for the production team; the history, locations, and hospitality make the area a great place to shoot," he continued.

Christmas in the Black Hills stars Big & Rich, Thompson Square, Tracy Lawrence, Andy Gibson, The Farm, and Bradley Gaskins. The show premiers on Great American Country (GAC) on December 12th.

We Have A Winner!

This season, we held a QR code contest. Our ad in the Southern Hills Vacation guide contained a QR code that potential passengers could scan with their smart phone. This code would lead them to our reservation page. Participants could then make a reservation for the 1880 Train, and automatically be entered to win a digital camera!

The contest ran throughout the summer, and in the end, Mary from Iowa won. She said it was her first vacation with two of her grandchildren, and they really enjoyed the 1880 Train and Mt. Rushmore. Congratulations Mary! We hope the camera will help you capture future family memories.

Vacations Made Easy Blog

We had a great Mother's Day Express again this year, and it was great to find this blog post about our trip for Moms on the Vacations Made Easy Blog. They also had some great information about the Journey Museum, and the Presidential Wax Museum. Check it out!
http://bit.ly/lfgjgO

Mother's Day Express Ticket Winner

We have a winner!

Shanna won our two Mother's Day Express tickets with her great entry about her mom. Check it out:

I am actually sending this entry for my mother, she is an amazing lady and I am planning a trip into the Black Hills for her during this exciting month of May!

May is a special month every year since it holds Mother's Day and her Birthday! However, this year is extra special because she is also graduating from college!
Deb, has two children, both girls ages 28 (me!) and 19, and is the grandmother of a 2 year old! I recently moved back home last year to work on my Master's degree, and she graciously openned her home for us, and has endured the stress and love of housing a infant/toddler and daughter while trying to work 2 jobs and attend school full time!

I am in the process of scheduling a trip up into Keystone for that weekend, since her birthday is the 5th, she graduates the 7th and then of course mothers day follows! So I just ran across your website while looking for fun things to do during our visit and am excited to include you in our itinerary!

Congratulations Shanna & Deb, hope you enjoy your train tickets and have a very happy Mother's Day!

Hilyo Restoration Photos

A few weeks ago, while digging through some old photos from the '90s, I ran across pictures taken of the Drovers car, Hilyo.

Anytime I look at old photos of the equipment before our staff began restoration work, it blows me away how much of a transformation it is.

Hilyo was restored in 1997, and added to the line up in 1998. It still looks great for having been restored over a decade ago!

Mother's Day Express Ticket Giveaway

We're having a Mother's Day Express ticket giveaway again! Simply email us at office@1880train.com and tell us why you deserve to win Mother's Day Express tickets. Please type 'Mother's Day Express Giveaway' in the subject line.

The winner will receive two tickets onboard the Mother's Day Express, Sunday, May 8th, 2011. The winning answer will be posted on Facebook!

Entries are due on Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 and we will contact the winner via email on that day. The winning entry will be posted on Facebook the following day. If you have already reserved Mother's Day Express tickets, or would like to go ahead and make a reservation, we will credit the winning tickets to your reservation!

Reservations may be made online at http://www.1880train.com, or you can also give us a call at 605-574-2222.

March Roundhouse Update

Our staff in the roundhouse has been working away to make sure the equipment is up and running for the summer season. Read on to find out about all of their hard work.

All of our coaches are being repainted by a contractor. They will all be the same burgundy red color. The photo above shows the Keystone car in the process of having its stain sanded off so it will be ready for paint.

Thomas sands the Keystone car.

Engine #104 had new ends installed on its super heaters and has successfully passed its Hydro test. It's ready for the summer season.

Engine #110 also had extensive work done on its super heaters. It has passed a flexible staybolt inspection and its Hydro test, but the roundhouse staff says there are still a lot of loose ends to tie up before it is ready for the summer season.

Mike on top of engine #110.

Engine #63's air system was overhauled and its components are ready to be installed.

It's sure to be a busy month and a half as they finish up all the loose ends and get ready to hit the rail!

Scott and Cesar give the welder some much needed attention.

David cuts out an old bushing from 110's suspension.

Scott uses engine #1 to switch engine #104 out of the shop.

Tasty Recipes

If you've ridden either the Wine Express into the West, or the Fright Train, you know how tasty the food is at Prairie Berry. If you didn't know, they have a page on their website for various recipes, many of them featuring their wines. Just reading through them makes me hungry for the Wine Express food!

I think I'm going to have to try out the Artichoke and Peppadew Pepper Dip. :)

Anyone else finding a recipe they just have to try?

Our 10th Year Back in Keystone!

In 2001, the 1880 Train finally returned to Keystone Station after 29 years.

June of 1972, a severe flood took place throughout the Black Hills area as well as Rapid City. Keystone was one of the communities that were badly hit, and several sections of the rail between Hill City and Keystone were torn up.

At the time, most of it was repaired, but only as far as Keystone Junction, which is about one mile from Keystone Station proper.

Our return to Keystone Station in 2001 meant several things for the 1880 Train. A new depot had been constructed along the main street in town, making it convenient for passengers to board the train. Also, 2001 was the first summer engine #110 was ready for operation. This engine was able to pull 7 cars. Engines #104 and #7 had previously only been able to pull 4.

This summer, 2011, marks our 10th year pulling the 1880 Train into Keystone. We look forward to another great year!

A view from what is now the boarding are in Keystone.

More than one train at your wedding!

Are you, or someone you know, looking for that one-of-a-kind wedding venue? The 1880 Train may be exactly what you are looking for! Many couples have tied the knot at the train over the past years in varying types of ceremonies.

Both ceremonies and receptions are an option at the 1880 Train. The train also makes for a great activity for your friends and family before or after the big day.

For more information on what the train has to offer, give us a call at 605-574-2222. Our staff will be happy to discuss ideas and options with you, and do what we can to make your wedding day everything you want it to be!

Changes to the 2011 Schedule

The 2011 schedule is now updated on the website, so the reservation system is officially ready for making reservations. The online system is now a little more user-friendly. If you've been waiting to schedule your 2011 vacation, or a trip on a 2011 special event train ride, now's the perfect opportunity!