1880 Train

This was another VIP special that we got into for free. The train runs from Hill City to Keystone on an old mining railway.

These are the original telegraph wires that ran from station to station. Most of the poles and wires are still here although in bad shape.

The train is really chugging now, the return trip is mostly uphill.

This is Harney peak, the highest point in South Dakota 7200 feet.

There isn’t enough room to turn the whole train around so the engine is detached and moves to the rear of the train. The seat backs swing over so everyone is sitting in the right direction for the return trip.