Experience the thrill of operating a historic railroad locomotive at LASTA’s “Drive the Train Program”!
Get ready to climb aboard and take the controls of one of our diesel locomotives under the guidance of our experienced staff. Our program is perfect for train enthusiasts, history buffs, or anyone who loves the idea of operating a powerful machine. You’ll get hands-on experience with all aspects of locomotive operation, from managing the throttle and brakes to blowing the horn. So whether you’re an experienced engineer or a beginner, our program will accommodate all skill levels.
This year, we’ve made some exciting changes to enhance your experience. Along with adding a second day, the most significant one is the introduction of online ticket sales. This convenient feature will save you time and allow you to visit Santa, tour our museum car and see our vendors without the hassle of waiting in long lines.
For just $3 per person, you can enjoy the basic site entry. Train rides can be purchased as an add-on, with a choice between our open-air gondola or the historic Southern Caboose. Children under 3 years of age enter and ride for free if they can sit in a parent’s lap.
Train times will be printed on your ticket. Please plan to arrive early; boarding starts 30 minutes before departure. We look forward to seeing you on board for a day of fun, community, and rail heritage!
All aboard for a day of holiday magic! Join us for a festive adventure featuring a daily site entry pass, photos with Santa, and a self-guided tour of our museum cars, including the iconic steam locomotive SP 745. Don’t forget to explore unique finds at the LASTA Gift Shop and various other vendors. Bring your family and friends for a day of fun, memories, and holiday cheer! Daily site entry pass.
🚂 Self-guided tour of our museum cars and historic rail equipment 🎅 Photos with Santa 🛍️ LASTA Gift Shop 🛍️ ️ Arts and Crafts, food, gifts and other vendors
Add on #1 – Train Ride Gondola $1.00
Photo by Leo Persick
This add-on includes a ticket (reserved time) for our open-air Gondola. Bench seating has been provided for your comfort. All passengers must have the ability to climb vertical stairs. Children under 3 years old ride free but must sit in the parents lap. Limit one child per paid ticket.
Add on #2 – Train Ride Caboose $2.00
LASTA Photo
This add-on includes a ticket (reserved time) for our historic Southern Bay Window Caboose. Bench seating has been provided for your comfort. All passengers must have the ability to climb vertical stairs. Children under 3 years old ride free but must sit in the parents lap. Limit one child per paid ticket.
Add on #3 – Cab Ride $32.00
Photo by Sophia Germer | The Times-Picayune
This add-on offers the opportunity to ride in our 1952 EMD locomotive. Your front-row seat provides you with a unique experience and a chance to learn what it takes to operate a locomotive. All passengers must have the ability to climb vertical stairs. A parent must accompany riders under 18 years old. Riders must comply with all safety requirements – https://lasta.org/cab-ride/
Due to the nature of our Historic equipment, LASTA reserves the right to change the schedule or cancel trains at any time.
On June 8, 2024, the crew relocated our Orton crane to begin the necessary preparations for an upcoming track maintenance project. This 160-ton Wrecker crane was built in December 1957 by the Orton Crane and Shovel Company. It was previously operated as Illinois Central Gulf (ICG) 100415 and Illinois Central RR X-106 / X-11.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Riley as LASTA’s next Chief Operations Officer/Chief Mechanical Officer. Mr. Riley will oversee day-to-day operations, implementing the organization’s strategic plans. In addition, working closely with our crew members, he will prioritize our efforts to get LASTA to a new home and return SP 745 to service.
Robert has spent more than 20 years in the transportation industry and is currently the CEO of the CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAILROAD (Rock Island Rail). Since joining LASTA, he has taken charge of a number of projects that led to our recent successful Christmas celebration with over 2,000 guests.
Please join us in congratulating Robert on his new role!
The Big Boy #UP4014 is coming to New Orleans! See this famous UP steam locomotive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 in Audubon Riverview Park (“The Fly”). Admission is free!
Today at 12 noon and 5:30 pm, WVUE FOX 8 News and Dave McNamara will be showing several of his railroad-themed stories from his “Heart Of Louisiana” series.
LASTA needs your help for a special opportunity at the upcoming Who Dat NationFestival (Sept. 6-8). We have been invited to help staff beer stands at the festival. This will help LASTA get both exposure and funds for 745’s rebuild.
LASTA would be most grateful if you are able to assist with this event. We look forward to your response. Let’s get enough volunteers to handle at least three of the beer trailers. Thanks for your support.
* The Official Who Dat Nation Rally & Music Festival is in no way associated with the NFL or the New Orleans Saints Football Club.
We are very sorry to report that plans for historic steam locomotive SP 745 to pull a freight train on the New Orleans and Gulf Coast Railway (NOGC) have fallen apart! One of the railroads we would need to use to get to the NOGC could not accommodate us due to severe congestion.
Again, the much hoped for freight pull by SP 745 HAS BEEN CANCELED. We will have more information soon as it relates to your donations on our GoFundMe page.
The grain train that SP 745 is planning to pull on the New Orleans and Gulf Coast Railway has been delayed and now could arrive as early as Sunday around 12 noon to as late as Monday or Tuesday. That means SP 745’s pull could occur as late as Wednesday or Thursday. Keep those toes and fingers crossed. We will keep you updated so stay tuned!
KEEP YOUR FINGERS AND TOES CROSSED cause it looks like if, everything falls into place, it’s really going to happen!
The word is the New Orleans and Gulf Coast Railway is getting a grain train this week and it will be empty and ready for historic steam locomotive SP 745 to pull this Sunday or Monday. So get your still and video cameras ready!
Yes! I know it’s Easter Sunday but it’s NOW OR NEVER FOR QUITE A WHILE! That’s because SP 745’s 15 years of service is up at the end of this month and won’t be able to run until her boiler is completely rebuilt per FRA rules and regulations.
There is still time to make that all important donation to help the Louisiana Steam Train Association defray the enormous cost of this freight run. Many thousands of you have seen our post on Facebook and expressed your excitement about this rare event. So think about it! If each one of you turns that excitement about our special steam freight excursion into a small (or LARGE) donation on our GoFundMe page…we would have more than enough money to pay for this once in a lifetime railroad event. AND…with any extra money above and beyond the cost of this event, we would be well on our way toward the cost of rebuilding SP 745’s boiler to keep the old girl steaming for years to come.
As previously stated, if for any reason this freight pull does not occur, your request for a refund will be honored.
REST ASSURED, AS SOON AS WE GET AND THE EXACT DATE AND TIME, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY!
So how about it EVERYBODY! Click on our GoFundMe page and make a donation! Every little bit helps!
