Getting ready for bed over the coming winter, Black Hills Central Railroad, in Hill, South Dakota, was already hard at work on 2-6-6-2T, #110. She's going to have her 5 year inspection over the winter, and the shop crew was hard at work to make certain she's ready for service in 2011. Next to her was 2-6-2T, #104. Outside there stood a GP7, to be used on holiday trains, and another 2-6-2, in western garb. I was told the railroad has had a remarkable season of patrons riding the railroad and using the facilities on the site. The whole shop area seem busy, including the car shop, with work being done both outdoors and in. The grounds are immaculate, and management has gone to some lengths to make the grounds welcoming, neat, and unpretentious. There is ample parking and the rolling stock is kept in good shape. I'd be hard pressed to look at the cars and determine it was end of the season.
2010 trains have ended, but it appears that moving forward with repairs and rebuilding is aforethought.
Another 2-6-2T is parted out in the yard, but not so restoration is out of the question. There are also stainless steel passenger cars, cabooses, and tenders.
By all appearances, a first class operation.