Black Hills Central Railroad / 1880 Train in Hill City and Keystone, South Dakota
Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesRuns on a posted yearly schedule; check 1880train.com for dates
The Black Hills Central Railroad runs the 1880 Train, a steam excursion between Hill City and Keystone on the former Burlington Northern Keystone Branch, and the railroad is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Steam train through the Black Hills
- About 20 miles round trip
- Roughly two hours, narrated
- On the National Register since 2003
- Rides from Hill City or Keystone
Black Hills Central Railroad / 1880 Train at a glance
- Hours
- Runs on a seasonal schedule posted at 1880train.com
- Admission
- Ticket prices vary by seating option; see the railroad's schedule and tickets page
- Train rides
- Narrated 20-mile round trip of about two hours between Hill City and Keystone
- Plan for
- About 2 hours for the round trip
- Best for
- Families and rail fans visiting the Black Hills
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Black Hills Central Railroad / 1880 Train? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Hill City and Keystone.
Rally Takes the Train
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Steam on the old Keystone Branch
The Black Hills Central Railroad, reporting mark BHCR, is a heritage railroad that runs the 1880 Train on the former Keystone Branch of the Burlington Northern, linking Hill City and Keystone. The rail connection between the two towns was first laid down in the late 1880s, and the railroad keeps that route alive with a vintage steam locomotive.
The railroad was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 5, 2003. It has long ties to the wider South Dakota rail community too: the board of the former South Dakota State Railroad Museum, which stood beside the train in Hill City, included a member representing the Black Hills Central. The railroad posts its yearly schedule, seating choices and special events on its own website, so check there before you plan.
Pine hills, granite and mining country from the coach window
The ride is a narrated round trip of about 20 miles that takes roughly two hours. Along the way riders look out on ponderosa pine forest, rugged rock formations, Black Elk Peak and the remains of mining encampments, with the sound of the steam engine working through the hills. The railroad offers different seating options and special event trains, listed with tickets on its schedule page.
Don’t miss
- The steam locomotiveThe 1880 Train is pulled by a vintage steam engine, which is the reason many families choose this ride.
- Views of Black Elk PeakThe route passes vistas of Black Elk Peak, one of the scenic high points of the trip.
- Old mining encampmentsThe line runs through country shaped by mining, and the narration points out encampments along the way.
A two-hour steam ride for families
The railroad promotes the 1880 Train as family fun, and a steam engine, open views and a narrated story give kids plenty to watch. The round trip takes about two hours, which suits school-age kids well; for toddlers, bring snacks and a plan for the full ride. Ask the railroad about seating options that work best for strollers or small children.
Plan your visit: tips for Black Hills Central Railroad / 1880 Train
- Book through the railroad's schedule and tickets page and compare seating options.
- You can board from either Hill City or Keystone; confirm your departure station.
- Plan on about two hours for the full round trip.
- Special event trains are listed separately on the railroad's website.
The railroad advertises special event trains in addition to its regular runs, with dates on its schedule page. For more holiday and fall ideas across the state, see our lists of Christmas train rides in South Dakota and Halloween train rides in South Dakota.
The railroad behind the 1880 Train
The Black Hills Central Railroad Co. operates the 1880 Train and keeps a steam locomotive running on the historic Keystone Branch. The best way to support it is simple: buy a ticket, ride, and follow the railroad's own website for event trains and schedule news.
More rail history around the Black Hills
The Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot is about 34 miles away in the northern Hills. The South Dakota State Railroad Museum stood beside the train in Hill City for 16 years and has now closed, but its story is worth reading before you ride. Browse all of South Dakota's train museums for more.
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
On a narrated ride like the 1880 Train, someone is always telling the story of the hills as you roll along. In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform holds out a hand to welcome Rally aboard, and that kind and steady grown-up is what I hope every small rider meets. You can print the conductor scene from our coloring pages to bring along.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in South Dakota: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in South Dakota
- Halloween train rides in South Dakota
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Black Hills Central Railroad / 1880 Train?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
1880 Train and Black Hills Central Railroad: 20 rider questions
What is the Black Hills Central Railroad 1880 Train?
The 1880 Train is the steam excursion run by the Black Hills Central Railroad, a heritage railroad in South Dakota's Black Hills. It travels between Hill City and Keystone on the former Keystone Branch of the Burlington Northern, offering a narrated round trip through pine forest and old mining country.
Where does the 1880 Train run?
The 1880 Train runs between Hill City and Keystone in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. The route follows the original rail connection between the two towns, laid down in the late 1880s. Riders can generally start at either end; confirm your departure station when you book on 1880train.com.
How long is the 1880 Train ride?
The 1880 Train ride is a narrated round trip of about 20 miles that takes roughly two hours. Plan extra time to park, pick up tickets and board before departure. Special event trains may run on different timings, so check the event listing for those.
How much are 1880 Train tickets?
Ticket prices depend on the seating option and the date you choose, and the railroad posts them with its yearly schedule. The current schedule and booking page is on 1880train.com under Schedule and Tickets. Check there for current prices before your trip, since fares can change from season to season.
What is the 1880 Train schedule?
The Black Hills Central Railroad publishes its schedule for each year on 1880train.com, along with tickets and seating choices. The train runs on a posted seasonal calendar rather than every day of the year, so look up your travel dates before you build a Black Hills itinerary around the ride.
Is the 1880 Train a real steam train?
Yes. The 1880 Train is pulled by a vintage steam locomotive, and the railroad describes it as an authentic steam train ride through the Black Hills. Riders hear the rhythmic sound of the engine working through the hills along the route between Hill City and Keystone.
What will we see on the 1880 Train?
Riders see ponderosa pine forest, rugged rock formations, wildlife, views of Black Elk Peak and the remains of mining encampments. A narrator shares the history of the line and the country it crosses. The scenery changes as the train climbs between Hill City and Keystone.
Is the 1880 Train good for kids?
The railroad bills the 1880 Train as family fun, and a steam engine and moving scenery are a big draw for young rail fans. The round trip lasts about two hours, so pack snacks and something quiet for toddlers. School-age kids usually have the patience for the full narrated ride.
Can you board the 1880 Train in Keystone?
Yes, the 1880 Train runs between Hill City and Keystone, and both towns are ends of the route. Keystone is close to many Black Hills sights, which can make it a handy starting point. When you book, check which station your ticket departs from and the time it leaves.
Is the Black Hills Central Railroad on the National Register?
Yes. The Black Hills Central Railroad was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 5, 2003. Its reporting mark is BHCR, and it operates the 1880 Train on the historic Keystone Branch between Hill City and Keystone.
What railroad originally built the Hill City to Keystone line?
The 1880 Train runs on what was the Keystone Branch of the Burlington Northern. The rail connection between Hill City and Keystone was first laid down in the late 1880s, and today the Black Hills Central Railroad keeps that historic stretch in use for steam excursions.
Does the 1880 Train run special event trains?
Yes, the railroad advertises special events in addition to its regular excursions. Dates and themes are listed with its yearly schedule on 1880train.com. Event trains can sell out, so book early once the calendar is posted, and check the event details for times and prices.
Does the 1880 Train run at Christmas or Halloween?
The railroad lists special events on its website, and any holiday or fall trains would appear there with dates and tickets. It does not publish a fixed holiday lineup far in advance in every season, so check 1880train.com closer to the date you want to ride.
What seating options does the 1880 Train offer?
The 1880 Train offers more than one ticket and seating option, which you can compare on the Schedule and Tickets page at 1880train.com. Prices vary by option. If you need space for a stroller, wheelchair or a large family group, ask the railroad before you book.
Is the 1880 Train wheelchair accessible?
The railroad does not post detailed accessibility information in its short listings. Before booking, contact the Black Hills Central Railroad through 1880train.com to ask about boarding, seating and restrooms for riders using wheelchairs or mobility aids, so staff can help plan the ride.
Where do you park for the 1880 Train?
Parking details are not posted in the railroad's short listings. Check the visit information on 1880train.com for parking at the Hill City and Keystone stations, and arrive early on busy summer days so you have time to park and board before departure.
Is the 1880 Train worth it?
For families already visiting the Black Hills, it is one of the few chances to ride behind a steam locomotive on a historic branch line. The two-hour narrated trip mixes scenery with local history, and the National Register listing reflects the line's significance. Visitors heading to Mount Rushmore or Custer State Park often add it to their plans.
What happened to the railroad museum next to the 1880 Train?
The South Dakota State Railroad Museum operated in a building beside the 1880 Train in Hill City from 2010 and has since closed permanently. Its model railroad layout moved to Rapid City, where the Black Hills Model Railroad Society displays it at the South Dakota Stockman's Association building.
Can you volunteer or support the Black Hills Central Railroad?
The best way to support the Black Hills Central Railroad is to ride the 1880 Train and attend its event trains. The railroad does not post a volunteer program in its short listings, so contact it through 1880train.com if you would like to ask about other ways to help.
What other train sites are near the 1880 Train?
The Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot is about 34 miles away in the northern Black Hills. In Rapid City, the Black Hills Model Railroad Society displays the model layout from the former South Dakota State Railroad Museum. Douglas, Wyoming, with two rail museums, is a longer drive of about 145 miles.
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