http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/article ... 847204.txt

Now if only Kevin Costner would return to kickstart the long-languishing Rapid City--Dunbar Casino line. Oh well, I can dream.

Sloan

Geeze, I walked right along the edge of their new building while visiting the Black Hills Central (I refuse to call it "the 1880 Train") in July and didn't even know it. Unfortunate they were not open yet or at least have a "coming soon" sign. The choice of Hill City makes sense from a historic perspective as a rail connection point in the Black Hills. It also makes sense to locate alongside a successful rail attraction (the only one in SD I can think of.) However, Hill City is an island, cut off from the national rail system over a decade ago. I think part of the line to Hill City (or is it Hill City to Custer) was converted into a rail-trail. Logistically it will make getting otherwise rail-ready equipment to the site more difficult. For the friction bearing equipment I suppose it doesn't matter.

During my visit I noticed a wide array of equipment at the far end of the BHC yard, ranging from old wood coaches to stainless lightweights, and steamers to diesels. I wonder if any of that belongs to the museum.

I was there last week and found out about the SD museum when reading this thread.
I talked with an engineer for the BHC that I know and he never mnentioned it.
The line from Edgemont to Deadwood, 110 miles, was converted to a trail in the 1990's and I was suprised in a weeks time to see almost a dozen people using the trail. It is very smooth and would be great for a railroad!!
It is scenic and passes the entrance to the Chief Crazy Horse carving and within a few miles of Mt. Rushmore. The tourist potential is huge but it is about 60 miles to Edgemont and the outside rail world.