1880 Train Ride

All Aboard! Jumping back in time we waited outside the depot for the steam engine to arrive. The blow of the whistle sent a surge of excitement through the line, lighting everyone's faces. Departing Hill City Depot, we waved 'bon voyage'. We road the 1880 train for a hour to Keystone, enjoying sites and stories of history. Locals and campers waved from their business, campsites, and cars. One special wave was to a man named John. He is a retired railroad conductor that ran the 1880 train for some 40years, and built a cabin with a view of the railroad. He sits out mostly every day watching the train pass by, the train makes 4 runs nearly every day. John was sitting on his front porch waving the old 1880 wave, while his wife stood at the screen door. The crew members walk up the aisle selling popcorn, and beverages, and we purchased a little history book on trains, for $3 as a keepsake, a picture of our conductor Joe printed on the front. Reaching Keystone Depot we had 15min. to stretch our legs, and while I was in the ladies room Chris got Joe to autograph the front of the book for me. After Joe moved the engine to the front of the train we departed heading back to Hill City.