HILL CITY, S.D. - As the 1880 Train Depot in Hill City gears up to open for the 2024 season, crews are hard at work repairing 12 sections of the track that runs from the depot to Keystone. This maintenance effort is vital for ensuring the safety and smooth operation of the historic railroad.
Around 10% of the 10-mile track is receiving new gravel to even out the surface and prevent warping on the ties, the wooden supports underneath the rail. Each fall, a crew from Wyoming identifies areas in need of repair. Throughout the winter, engineers working for the 1880 Train determine a plan, and come spring, repairs commence.
Nathan Anderson, Business Operations Manager of the 1880 Train, explains the repair process: "The crews have come in and replaced the ties that are rotten or need to be replaced. Then lift the rail just slightly a couple of inches, and then come over it with an automated machine that punches the new gravel down into underneath the railbed itself. [And then] that kind of restores the flatness of the rail, also the water drainage and things like that help preserve the life of the railroad."
Weather plays a significant role in the timing and extent of repairs or damage. Anderson notes that the milder and drier winter allowed repairs to commence earlier. However, he also highlights the impact of a wet summer on the railroad, particularly in areas where the original railbed was laid down in the 1880s to 1890s, crossing spring-fed areas. These areas can develop bumps over time, requiring attention during the spring repair efforts.
Before the 1880 Train operates, the Federal Railroad Administration conducts inspections of the railroad, trains, and locomotives to ensure everything is in working order before the public can ride. The 1880 Train is scheduled to open on Mother's Day weekend, May 11, 2024.
You can learn more about the history of the 1880 Train, ticket prices, and special events on their website, located here.
