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All 10 Keystone Attractions »

1880 Train/ Black Hills Central Railroad

103 Winter St., Keystone, SD
605-574-2222
Ranked #5 of 8 attractions in Keystone
3.5 of 5 stars 81 Reviews
Type: Scenic Railroads
Owner description: All aboard for a historic train ride through the Black Hills of South Dakota! Experience the unique charm of the Black Hills by traveling on a 100...... more » Owner description: All aboard for a historic train ride through the Black Hills of South Dakota! Experience the unique charm of the Black Hills by traveling on a 100 year old route through hidden meadows and gulches. Passengers often see wildlife such as White Tail Deer, Mule Deer, and wild Turkey.Passengers ride in the comfort of restored train cars and enjoy a leisurely pace along this 20-mile, round trip, train route. During the ride, a narration including the history of the train and the area is given.Step back in time and see what it was like to travel the countryside onboad a train! « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Wheelchair access, Activities for young children
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81 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    27
    23
    15
    12
    4
Date Rating
JohnGross
Succasunna, New Jersey
Top Contributor
72 reviews
11 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 31, 2012

It was nice but not great,We thought we would see more mountain area and really wasn't anything .they stopped in another town where you had a half hour to get a cup of coffee and get back on the train to leave for Keystone again the town of Keystone was nice with of course shopping and the views where nice,pleanty... More

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rathbund
Sundance, Wyoming
Senior Contributor
31 reviews
5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 25, 2012

We have taken this trip several times and each time it has been fun and relaxing. This is a great attraction when you are traveling with children and older adults. The train is clean and comfortable. The scenery is delightful. You can sit and relax and have your worries and your achy feet melt away. More

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Drury C
Regina, Canada
Reviewer
3 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 23, 2012

This two hour amazing train ride through the black hills was as amazing as Mt. Rushmore. On this ride you see wild life, trees,mountains and the Kennedys summer house and this all being Narrated by the cunductor More

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mexiaddict
sd
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews
9 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed January 20, 2012

This is a fun, short ride on an authentic train-we have been on this at different points of our lives and the area the train goes through is getting developed more and more. The ride is still neat, one of the best parts is that is goes back and forth between Keystone and HIll City, so you can get on... More

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rpdmom
rapid city, sd
Top Contributor
85 reviews
61 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed January 2, 2012

Scenic. Get on in Custer and ride to Keystone. They discourage people from getting off and returning on a later train, but people do it anyway. The specialty trips like Christmas and the wine train are popular....book early More

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sweetpea723
Kanopolis, Kansas
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews
4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 21, 2011

Wonderful view and well worth the money. I can't wait to go again. More

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JeramieOK
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Top Contributor
53 reviews
10 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 9, 2011

We very much enjoyed the trip through the Black Hills in the old train. It was definitely worth the money and time. The scenery is beautiful and there is something special about sitting in an old car being drug through the black hills. The train stops at a little town and allows you to eat/ buy food and use the... More

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Billes49
Dayton, Ohio
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews
1 helpful vote
2 of 5 stars Reviewed October 7, 2011

Our expectations were high, but the 1880 Train ride did not meet them. It started in Keystone. We were expecting to see some great scenery during the trip, but we saw mainly trees and back yards of people's houses. It became boring after about a half an hour. The train never exceeded 20 mph and ran mostly slower than that.... More

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Katherine Belczak, Manager at 1880 Train/ Black Hills Central Railroad, responded to this review
November 2, 2011

Hello, and thank you for riding the 1880 Train. We are sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your train ride from the Keystone station. The Black Hills has its own certain charm. We do not have the cliffs and peaks like the Rocky Mountains, however we feel that our hidden meadows and gulches are beautiful . Many residents... More

SDMEATGUY
Jefferson, South Dakota
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews
7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed September 29, 2011

beutiful well maintained trains. took kids on a round trip. took about 3 hours total. very comfortable seats. staff was very friendly. scenery is great while going thru the hills, except you stay very close to a main road with lots of houses and neighborhoods. but when your in the hills, you feel like you have stepped back in time.... More

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geegwedo
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Reviewer
5 reviews
4 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed September 27, 2011

The wet and cold weather was a real downer and put a real edge on the start of our day. The train trip starting in Keystone started as an enthusiastic venture....we started at the gift shop waiting for the train and after its impressive arrival it left the station…. the train averages 6 mph up a 16% grade to Hill... More

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