Engine #104 is perhaps the lesser known of the three steam locomotives at the Black Hills Central Railroad. #104 arrived at the 1880 Train in 1965 along with its sister engine, #103. Both engines are Baldwin Steam locomotives with a 2-6-2T wheel arrangement. As these are tank engines, they do not pull a tender. #104 was built in 1926 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and was first used at the Silver Falls Timber Company in Oregon and the Peninsula Terminal Railroads in Portland, Oregon.
#104 after restoration in the early 90's.
Like all of our steam locomotives, #104 burns used motor oil rather than coal. Coal is no longer used due to the fire hazard.
#104 pulls a half and half car in the late 90's.
Engine #104 along with Engine #7 was the main motive power for the 1880 Train from the 1970's until 2000. On May 14th, 2001, #104 pulled the first train back into Keystone since the flood of 1972 that destroyed the last mile of rail into Keystone. From this point on, #104 was used less frequently as it lacks the power to pull seven car trains like Engine #110. From time to time, #104 and #7 will 'double head' a seven car train while #110 is in the shop having a boiler wash.
Engine #104 has a fuel capacity of 750 gallons of recycled oil and can carry 1,600 gallons of water. The engine weighs 134,000 lbs.
And what about Engine #103? #103 is currently awaiting restoration, occasionally donating a part or two to #104.
Engine #103 awaiting restoration.
