In the shadow of Mount Rushmore is the Black Hills Central Railroad, aka the 1880 Train. This tourist railroad operates an impressive collection and locomotive roster. Operating on former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rails between Hill City and Keystone, South Dakota, the twisting and steep route provides incredible scenery on a unique collection of equipment.
With sharp curves and grades of up to 6% both ways, the Black Hills Central Railroad demands serious power in the busy summer season. From the early days of operation all the way into the 2000s, the railroad would utilize 2-6-2 7 and 2-6-2T 104, but these engines were limited to four or five wooden coaches. With the ever increasing popularity of the operation, the railroad invested in more serious power with former Weyerhaeuser Timber 2-6-6-2T 110 debuting in 2001. The logging Mallet made quite an impression as it handled trains up to nine cars long unassisted.
With the success of 110, the BHC would acquire sister Mallet locomotive 108 from the Northwest Railway Museum of Snoqualmie, WA in 2016. The full restoration of 108 would be completed in October 2020, and the 2021 season would mark the first full summer season for the 108. This marks Black Hills Central as probably the only place one can see sister Mallets operating everyday in the summer, and the 108 put on quite the show.
0:00 Introduction
3:36 Departing Hill City
6:30 Tin Mill Hill
12:10 Oblivion
18:16 Keystone
20:26 Return trip