Double heading Mallets climb the grades in the mountains of South Dakota!

Today we visit the Black Hills Central railroad, to witness one of the rarest events since the end of steam. Two articulated locomotives, double heading over the steep grades of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The railroad wanted to celebrate the recent completion of #108 with a special event. The #108 had not run since the 1950's and was restored earlier this year.

These powerful, smaller, articulated locomotives were built primary for the logging industry by the Baldwin Locomotive Company in the 1920's. Bad track, steep grades, and tight curves made these locomotives ideal for the mountains of Oregon and Washington. These were good and reliable locomotives serving right until the end of steam and beyond. The short passenger train in the video makes light work for the two steam engines.

These locomotives are compound steam engines, which means the steam is first used in the rear cylinders, then piped up to the front cylinders. Since the steam in used twice the front cylinders are much larger. Due to the small driving wheels these locomotives are very powerful but can not travel very fast.

This was a difficult video to film and edit as the weather was constantly changing from bright sun to dark and overcast. For more information on the locomotives, rolling stock, train rides, and history click link here https://www.1880train.com/rolling-sto...