The South Dakota State Railroad Museum is located adjacent to the Hill City depot, on BHCR land.

CB&Q was supportive, and the dual-gauge line was constructed from Hill City to a new terminus with a wye, to be named “Oblivion” about midway along the branch.

The choice of narrow gauge was influenced by the availability, also from CB&Q, of a complete 1880s styled "Deadwood Central" trainset which had been assembled for the Chicago Railroad Fair of 1948–49.

BHCR gradually acquired its current range of locomotives and rolling stock, and continued operations over the full length of the branch until the 1972 Black Hills flood destroyed the last three miles of track into Keystone.

[5] South of the Hill City depot, a small rail yard holds a variety of rolling stock, mostly early twentieth century, awaiting restoration.