Black Hills Central No. 7 - Return to Keystone

Locomotive No. 7 Returns to Keystone June 14, 2001

Black Hills Central Railroad 2-6-2 No. 7 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1919. It later served on the Prescott & Northwestern, an Arkansas short line, before moving to Hill City, South Dakota for tourist service in 1962. For many years it wore the name General Custer on its cab, and the fake funnel stack was added for a Disney movie the forgettable clunker "Scandalous John" in 1971 (she looked better in a 1970 episode of Gunsmoke, with a straight stack and kerosene headlight).

The BHC operates the 1880 Train between Hill City and Keystone on a former CB&Q branch line. It started narrow-gauge steam operations in 1957 by laying down a third rail between Hill City and Oblivion, half way to Keystone on the still-active CB&Q Keystone Branch. The bulk of the tourists were in Keystone, however, being the location of Mount Rushmore, so beginning in the summer of 1962 No. 7 was used to pull a standard gauge tourist train from Keystone to Oblivion, where it met the narrow gauge train.
No.7 was a regular fixture in Keystone in those days, and the trains were operated by Burlington crews.

Later, when the narrow gauge train became too expensive to keep in operation, No. 7 pulled the train the entire distance between Hill City and Keystone.

In June 1972 a massive flood wiped out the last mile of track into Keystone; owner Burlington Northern decided to abandon that segment of track, and the rails ended at Keystone Junction, a mile up the road from downtown Keystone. In 1985 the BN abandoned the branch, and it was purchased by the Black Hills Central.

There was no money to repair the track into town, so for three decades the train ended its journey at Keystone Junction. However, when the Warder family purchased the BHC in 1990 they made plans to return the train to Keystone.

Three new wood trestles, and a mile of new steel rail and ties were required to bridge the gap; a brand new station was also constructed in town. Locomotive 104 made the first run over the new rail on May 14, 2001.

Engine No. 7 the signature 1880 engine on the BHC had been out of service for many years when the Warders purchased the railroad. It was overhauled and went back to work in 1993, and has run over the line ever since.

The engine was slated to be filmed by the History Channel in June, 2001. The train crew decided that it should have at least one test run over the new track into to Keystone before the film crews arrived. So, on the last run of the day on June 14, 2001, the No. 104 was taken off the train and No. 7 was put on. The 2-6-2 then took the 1880 Train to Keystone, passing over the newly-built trackage and returning to downtown Keystone for the first time in 28 years. The engine ran well, despite the audible squeak (loose packing in one cylinder, I was told it was repaired following the run).

Today, No. 7 is again a regular fixture in downtown Keystone, and is frequently doubleheaded with 2-6-2T No. 104 when more than four coaches are used on the 1880 Train.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Black Hills Central Railroad
• 1880 Train
• Keystone
• Hill City
• South Dakota
• steam locomotive
• steam train
• passenger train
• train
• railroad
• steam engine
• steam power

[pennyf9]

what gunsmoke episode did #7 starr in?

[jterry618]

That would be the "Snow Train" episode(s).

[pennyf9]

How come they took #7's box headlight off? I saw pictures and she look way better, even though it's not original but it fits the name "1880" train.

[jterry618]

If I remember correctly, the train crews couldn't see around it very well. It was a safety issue; there are several grade crossings on the line.

[pennyf9]

#7 also starred in the 1979 tv movie Orphan Train.

[SierraRailway]

Alright, you can't tell me that wasn't the 110's whistle right there! Sounds great on both locomotives anyway. AWESOME video!

[PereMarquette1223]

Nothing like a little drink at 5:59.

[PoetryETrain]

This has been added to our train history playlists here, and on facebook, thanks...

[back10506]

@PereMarquette1223 There are plenty that have the ability to "work" and have done so. There are several that survive today. Thought to my knowledge few "work", or rather, are operating. 2-6-2's were used mostly in branch line or freight service here. They were more common in other parts of the world.

[4thelonghaul]

You say quit whistling so much but I do believe trains required to sound their whistle/horn at every crossing. They are not "showing off" they are following the law.

[GooglFascists]

Lil ol' teapot wheezes a lot, don't she? I remember back in steam days and they didn't lay on the damned whistle all the time like they do now to "show off" for tourists & railfans. Too much whistling sounds PHONY like kids are fooling around in the engine. Back in the day these locomotives were for work. They pulled freight & passenger cars down the line. If you want it to look realistic for the time, tear the sheet plastic & duct tape off the car, and QUIT WHISTLING IT SO MUCH.

[PereMarquette1223]

A 2-6-2, huh, not the most common wheel arrangement in the world that's for sure. First time I've seen one ever and heard of one that works. I've heard of 2-6-2's, but not one that works.

[ColumbiaAndHoodRiver]

shes stalls a lot

but i love the "i think i can" at 2:27