1880 Train

Schedule & Tickets

Planning your trip to the Black Hills? Browse our ticket and seating options to make the most of your South Dakota vacation.

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Ticket Options

Round Trip

Enjoy the full 2 1/2-hour journey between Hill City and Keystone!

Adult: $43
Child (Ages 2–12): $23
Infant on Lap: FREE

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One-Way

A pleasant 1-hour ride, embarking from either Hill City or Keystone.

Adult: $38
Child (Ages 2–12): $21
Infant on Lap: FREE

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Lunch Included

Add a boxed lunch to take with you on the train! Only available for 11 a.m. departures from Hill City.

Adult: $60
Child (Ages 2–12): $40

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Special Events

From the first whistle of spring through the holiday season, the 1880 Train has a reason to ride. Old West Shootouts bring the frontier to life along the route. The Wine Express turns the journey into an evening out. Oktoberfest fills the cars with seasonal spirit, and the Holiday Express has been a Black Hills family tradition for years. Check the schedule and find your ride.

Event Information

Group Rides

Groups of 20 or more receive special discounted rates. We also offer accommodations for private events and special occasions.

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Departure Locations

Our depots are centrally located in Hill City and Keystone, South Dakota, where you will find a variety of shops, museums, family activities, and restaurants just a few blocks away.

Hill City

Enjoy year-round shops and restaurants, as well as museums and art galleries within a half-mile walk. The South Dakota State Railroad Museum is located right next to our depot and is a featured partner of the 1880 Train.

Keystone

Explore original mining and early settler history with lots of family-oriented tourism attractions, all within a half-mile walk of our depot.

Seating Options

The following enclosed cars are utilized all season:

Edward Gillette

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City

Blue Bird

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City

Oreville

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City

Battle Creek

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City

The following open-sided observation cars are used during peak summer (approximately mid-June through Labor Day weekend):

Redfern

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City

Harney Canyon

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City

Mystic

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City>

The following enclosed cars are utilized in the cooler months on either end of the peak summer season (May, September–October) and on our Holiday Express runs:

Keystone

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City

Rochford

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City

Hilyo

Fully enclosed car with windows that open & close
Padded seats that are able to face one another if you choose
First car in the lineup as you leave Hill City

Passenger Car Gallery

Seating Options

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 1880 Train?

The 1880 Train is a two-hour, narrated 20-mile round trip between Hill City and Keystone. Passengers enjoy vistas of Black Elk Peak, mining encampments, scenery, and perhaps wildlife. Trains follow the original route of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad laid down in the late 1880s to service the mines and mills between Hill City and Keystone. We are the oldest continuously operating standard-gauge tour railroad in the nation and operate three steam and two diesel engines throughout the season. One of our locomotives is more than 100 years old!

Why is the railroad called the 1880 Train?

In 1957, the 1880 Train was started by a steam railroad enthusiast named William Heckman. He believed "there should be one working steam railroad, for boys of all ages who share America's fondness for the rapidly vanishing steam locomotive." Because he wanted a railroad that was reminiscent of the rapid American rail expansion of the 1880s, the name stuck, and the 1880 Train has been chugging through the Black Hills ever since for boys and girls of all ages.

Who owns the 1880 Train?

The train is now owned and operated by World Choice Investments.

What towns does the train depart from?

The train operates on the original mining rail spur between the towns of Hill City and Keystone in the central Black Hills. You can start your ride from either end.

How long does the ride take?

It's an hour ride each way, with a 15-minute layover time. Budget 2 1/2 to 3 hours for a complete roundtrip if you're returning immediately, or longer if you choose to make a layover.