Holiday Express — 1880 Train

The 1880 Train, the Black Hills tour railroad that normally runs between Hill City and Keystone, offers the Holiday Express as a one-hour round trip from Hill City to the North Pole. The operator says Santa boards the train there for the return journey and takes time to visit with each child on the way.

Passengers enjoy hot cocoa, a sugar cookie, a candy cane and what the operator calls Christmas fun. All children receive a bell to ring for Santa and can talk with Mrs. Claus and Santa.

The railroad also sells an upgraded Holiday Express First Class, ridden in the passenger cars Hilyo and Rochford, with hot chocolate in a commemorative mug with unlimited refills, a premium holiday bell and additional time with Santa and Mrs. Claus. A separate adults-only “Spiked!” version, for guests 21 and older, is run on selected 4:15 pm departures and is not part of this family ride. The railroad says its vintage diesel-electric locomotive No. 63 is used for Holiday Express departures in November and December.

A one-hour round trip from Hill City to the North Pole, where Santa boards the train and visits each child on the way back. Hot cocoa, a sugar cookie and a candy cane are served; every child receives a bell to ring for Santa and can talk with Mrs. Claus and Santa. Seating is assigned.

The Holiday Express is a round trip from Hill City, and tickets are picked up at the Hill City Depot, 222 Railroad Avenue, Hill City, South Dakota. Tickets must be picked up at the depot on the day of the ride, at least 30 minutes before departure; an email or screenshot is not a ticket, and parties not checked in 15 minutes before departure may have the reservation cancelled. Seating is assigned and passengers must be under one reservation to sit together. Children aged 1 and under are listed as free on the standard Holiday Express. All sales are final and no refunds or exchanges are offered unless the train does not operate. The operator says the event runs no matter the weather and asks guests to prepare for winter road conditions. There is free parking at the Hill City depot.