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!

Santa's Coming to Town!

November 26th kicks off Santa's visits to Hill City for the Holiday Express. We're lucky enough to have him visit the Black Hills so close to Christmas!

The 1880 Train will be journeying to the North Pole in order to pick him up and take him back to Hill City. Along the way, passengers will enjoy hot chocolate and cookies served by Santa's helpers. This is the perfect chance to make sure Santa knows what you want for Christmas!

Book your ride on the Holiday Express now at 1880train.com or give us a call at 605-574-2222!

Rail Fan

We've found out about a new 1880 Train fan! His mother says every morning he has to watch a couple YouTube videos of engine #110. If it's not #110, he won't watch!

We're lucky to have rail fans of all ages!

Prost!

As many of you know, this summer we had our first annual Oktoberfest Express in conjunction with Eagle Sales of the Black Hills. Passengers were served four seasonal beers along with other Oktoberfest fare. Here's what some of our passengers had to say about this event!

"We’ve attended the Wine Train several times so we knew Oktoberfest would be fun. This past weekend was even better than expected. Thanks so much. We’re already planning on attending next year." - Kristi B.

"Gail and I were on the Oreville coach; we had a great time. The weather was beautiful, we saw wonderful scenery including lots of deer and wild turkeys, and enjoyed the tasty food.
The event seemed to be well planned, orderly, and reasonably priced. The ticket window ladies seemed to have everything organized, the line moved quickly, and they easily found our reservations. On the train, all of the 1880 Staff knew their jobs and kept order among the passengers. By this I mean no passengers were allowed to walk around from car to car and the “Beer Ladies’ controlled the beer distribution. One beer at the station before departing (some did get refills), one bottle on the way to Keystone, two bottles on the way back to Hill City. Food accompanied the beer; I think serving food on the train is a good idea. The 1880 Staff were almost like airline flight attendants – Well Done!
One consideration: one glass and 3 bottles of beer may be too much for some folks, causing waste. I did see some folks pour some beer out the coach windows in order to give an empty bottle to the trash collectors.
In comparison with your competitors, we’ve been on several other October BBQ trains and wine trains, including the Virginia & Truckee RR in Virginia City, NV. The V&T serves all the food at the station before boarding. The wine trains are the worst; there is a lot of wine available with passengers moving from car to car in search of more wine when the wine supply finally runs low. Some folks get loud and stupid when they drink too much. I think the 1880 Train’s approach of controlling passenger movement and eating on the train is a good idea.
Thank you again for the enjoyable evening and we are wishing you every success on the 2nd Annual Oktoberfest Train." - Stan and Gail


The Oktoberfest Express will return during our 2011 summer season. Give us a call to find out more information! 605-574-2222.

Haunting Happenings in Hill City and Keystone

The train won't be having its Fright Train this October, but there are plenty of other fun events going on in Hill City and Keystone.

Hill City will again be having its Merchant Trick or Treating on October 29th. The trick or treating begins at 4:00 pm at Integrity Reality and runs through 6:00 pm.
Also on the 29th is the Boys & Girls Club's Halloween Carnival, running from 6:00 pm - 8:15 pm.

Keystone will also have The Haunting of Keystone which includes three haunted attractions. The will be having a Hayride into the Keystone Cemetery, the Haunted Big Thunder Gold Mine, and a haunted house at the old Keystone school house. All three events will be on the 28th, 29th, and 30th and will start at 7:00 pm and go through Midnight.

If you're looking for some Halloween fun, come check out Hill City and Keystone!

2010 Wine Express

Another Wine Express into the West has come to an end. We had a great time last weekend. As usual, Prairie Berry's wine and food was excellent and the fall colors along the route were beautiful!

If you missed this year's train ride, check out the story KOTA did on the Wine Express. bit.ly/aErP1N

Oktoberfest Express!

Celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Oktoberfest at the 1880 TRAIN!

October 2nd, 2010, the 1880 Train will hold its first annual Oktoberfest Express.

Passengers will enjoy authentic seasonal beer while enjoying traditional German foods such as Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, and pretzels.

The train departs Hill City at 4:00 pm for a round trip ride to Keystone. Tickets are $48.00 per passenger. This train ride is only for passengers 21 and older. A costume contest will be held, so wear your lederhosen!

For reservations, call 605.574.2222 or visit us online at our reservation page!

This event is made possible with support from our friends at Eagle Sales.

Experience One of the Nation's Greatest Train Rides

With the 2010 season well underway, passengers are getting a chance to see why the 1880 Train was named one of the 9 Greatest Day Trips by Parade Magazine and one of the 5 Great American Train Rides by The New York Post.

Come see for yourself what's so special about the 1880 Train!

Smokey Bear

This May, Smokey Bear visited the 1880 Train on a couple occasions to speak with students about forest fires. Check out these video clips from the local FOX station and the Rapid City Journal.

Rapid City Journal

FOX

Mother's Day Express Giveaway, Day 5

We had five correct answers, thank you to everyone that participated. If you would still like to ride the Mother's Day Express, tickets are available online or by calling 605-574-2222.

It's the final day of the Mother's Day Express coded question. After decoding today's entry, read the question as a whole. Then email the answer to the question to office@1880train.com. The first five correct answers will win two tickets each to the Mother's Day Express. Good luck!