745

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.

December 9, 2019 – Heath Allen and WDSU stopped by the yard to have a look at SP-745. Here is the report that aired on the evening news…

LASTA needs your help for a special opportunity at the upcoming Who Dat Nation Festival (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.

Event information and the music lineup can be found at whodatnationevents.com

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.

Thank you!

The Louisiana Steam Train Association (LASTA)

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!

Heads Up, Everybody!

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!

Thanks!

LASTA (Louisiana Steam Train Association)

https://www.gofundme.com/sp745&rcid=r01-155537541149-a4c691bbc3c84370&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w

Video courtesy of Christopher Kovacs