South Dakota, located in the Midwestern region of the United States, is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, including the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the faces of four U.S. presidents are carved into the granite cliffs. The state is bisected by the Missouri River, dividing South Dakota into two geographically and socially distinct halves. South Dakota is sparsely populated, so there are only two tourist trains in South Dakota.
Many freight carriers operate operate in the U.S. state of North Dakota, for example BNSF Railway, Ellis and Eastern Company , Dakota Missouri Valley and Western Railroad and Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad.
Long-distance trains in South Dakota
South Dakota does not have any Amtrak stations. Williston Amtrak Station in North Dakota is located approximately 107 miles from Belfield and 217 miles from Bismarck.
All passenger railways that did exist within state lines were discontinued by 1969.
South Dakota was given money in 1997 to start a passenger rail line but the state used the cash for something else. South Dakota is one of two states where the federal passenger rail didn’t operate.
In 1950 the train named Dakota 400 was launched between Chicago, Illinois and Huron, South Dakota. Further route was extended to Rapid City in 1952 before being cut back to Mankato in 1960. Train was eventually renamed to Rochester 400 and ceased in 1963.
Tourist trains in South Dakota
There are at least two heritage railroads operation in South Dakota:
Black Hills Central Railroad – a very popular tourist railroad from Hill City to Keystone (16 km). Usually steam hauled. Operates daily, May to early October, and on a selected days in November and December. Round trip lasts 2 hours. Trains follow the original route of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad constructed in the late 1880s to service the mines and mills in the area. The trip includes a steep hill climb. It is the oldest continuously operating tour railroad in the nation. The railroad is also called “1880 train”.
Black Hills Central Railroad – official website
Prairie Village, Herman & Milwaukee Railroad – a short standard gauge line circling the Historic Prairie Village near Madison. Total length of the route is 3 km. It operates from May to September. Rolling stock fleet consists among others one of the few remaining church railroad cars, the Emmanuel.
Prairie Village, Herman & Milwaukee Railroad – official website
Related articles:
Railways in the United States of America by state
