745

745 steaming down the high iron again

On February 7, we departed at approximately 8 am for our test run. We arrived in Baton Rouge around noon, turned at the Canadian National (CN) “Y” and then remained overnight at the KCS Yard .

At 8 am the following morning, we departed for our return trip to New Orleans, arrived at the CN yard just before 2 pm, where we waited until both the north and southbound Amtrak trains passed. We then proceeded to Lambert junction where we met the Public Belt switcher to escort us back to our yard. 745 was back in her home yard by 4:30 PM, successfully completing her first trip since Kansas City Excursion.

Mays Yard by Leo Persick

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745 and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons”

November 2006 – 745 and several of her cars made their movie debut during the filming of The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. The set was located at the old Texas & Pacific Yard (Race Street) near the banks of the Mississippi River, about two blocks upriver from the New Orleans Morial Convention.

745 had all lettering removed from her firemen’s side and replaced with a Southern Railroad “SR” logo as well as the “Southern” name. 745 was also renumbered on that side and under the headlight to “682.” The Jefferson Parlor car also had her lettering removed and was stenciled “Southern” along the side and across the rear platform top.

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2006 General Meeting

LASTA held its first general meeting in the new Sea Island Visitors Center on November 2. The officers and team leaders provided information on our recent events and updated the membership on current projects. LASTA extended its lease on 745 and various pieces of equipment owned by Louisiana Railroad Heritage Trust (LRHT).

Louis Saillard reported that we gained 43 members during the month of October. Many joined during our successful “Steam Fest” that was held at Audubon Park. Harry Abbott was appointed as our new Safety Officer.

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Steam Fest

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the donation by Southern Pacific Railroad to Audubon Park of steam locomotive number 745. This year also marks the first anniversary of this historic engine’s rebirth as the Spirit of Louisiana!

LASTA held its first STEAM FEST with the locomotive and her exhibit train on display at Riverview Park behind Audubon Zoo on October 14 and 15. Music was provided by Dennis and Company , Country Fried , Pat Flory and Hazel and the Delta Ramblers. A special slide lecture was given by railroad historian Louis Saillard.

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745 Journal

Fall 2006 – The inaugural Steam Fest coincided with the 50th anniversary of SP donating SP745 to Audubon Park. Also covered was 745’s cameo in the Brad Pitt film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://lasta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/745-Journal-Fall-2006.pdf” title=”745 Journal Fall 2006″]
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LASTA visits KCS HQ

LASTA visits the Kansas City Southern Railway and with KCS President Mike Haverty.

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Pittsburg Kansas Steam Excursion

On August 5 and 6, 745 and three 1950’s passenger cars completed a weekend steam excursion on the former Frisco Railroad track out of Pittsburg, Kansas. This was the first public trip since the restoration of 745 and the first steam engine-powered passenger train out of Pittsburg since the late 1940s.  The trip included a special run for Watco company officers, employees and customers.

745 and its crew made four runs each day during the weekend using a Push-Pull setup, three RDC coaches and a diesel on the rear for the return run. There were 1050 riders for the weekend. This event was sponsored by the Heart of the Heartlands Railroad Club with the assistance of South Kansas Oklahoma Railroad and Watco Companies, Inc.

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Kearney, MO – 150th Anniversary

On Jun 29, 745 departed Liberty for Kearney, MO.to help celebrate their 150th  anniversary.
  • “The good times roll on the Spirit of Louisiana” – Kansas City Star (2-27-06)
  • “More than a Whistle Stop” – Kansas City Star (02-06)
  • “Speaking of History” – Kansas City Star interview with 745’s Engineer as we prepared to leave for the next event
  • Interview- Eric Langhorst (8th grade American History Teacher at South Valley Jr. High – Liberty, MO )

Liberty MO

Watco

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Liberty, MO

Thursday, May 18 – BNSF Railroad pulled 745 from the Kansas City Union Station and pulled her the Kaw River Railroad (WATCO) for the trip to Liberty, MO. There was a wonderful turnout to see our train and the Spirit of Louisiana exhibit.
Watco
Liberty MO

Dr. Eric Langhorst is an award-winning educator who brings history to life through storytelling, technology, and conversation. He teaches 8th-grade American History, broadcasting, and technology at Discovery Middle School in Liberty, Missouri and is nationally recognized for his work in education and digital learning.

In this episode of his Speaking of History podcast, Dr. Langhorst explores “The Spirit of Louisiana Steam Engine in Liberty,” highlighting the story, significance, and enduring legacy of Southern Pacific 745 and the people dedicated to preserving steam railroading history.

🎧 Listen now: Speaking of History Podcast #31 – The Spirit of Louisiana Steam Engine in Liberty
MP3 Format | Runtime: 12:30 minutes

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Fat Tuesday – Kansas City

Early Tuesday morning, a battery of photographers arrived and lined up in preparation for 745’s arrival. Looking due west the illuminated headlight appeared in the distance as the train appeared in the distance. Approaching the I-35 overpass, 745 erupted into sound, smoke and steam. A black and white plume of exhaust ascended as the train continued toward the station. As the train came to a stop, a small jazz band began to play. The Spirit of Louisiana had formally arrived.

LASTA had three display cars indicating the different decorations and spectacular items from the Kenner Mardi Gras Museum. On Mardi Gras Day, February 28th, the cars were opened for the press and the dedicated staff of the Union Station Museum to take a peek at the celebration of time.

The exhibit opened it doors to the general public on Saturday, March 4th so that anyone who visited could enjoy the colors, festivities, and art of the holiday. This exhibit stayed open for several more weeks, during which time both locals and tourists could come view the display of the holiday decorations and learn more of their origins.

Kansas City Union Station and SP-745
SP-745 at the Kansas City Union Station

LASTA wishes to offer special THANKS to the following people and companies for helping us get 745 to Kansas City and back home:

  • Kansas City Southern Railroad 
  • New Orleans Public Belt Railroad,
  • Canadian National Railway Company (CN Railroad)
  • Cado Parish Fire District 1 and 8
  • Coushatta Fire Department and Chief Burl Larson
  • Cypress Recycle for the late night fuel oil delivery
  • Colfax, LA Fire Department
  • Decatur, MO Fire Department
  • Drexel, MO Fire Department
  • Gonzales Police and Fire Departments
  • Mena, AR Fire Department
  • Morganza, LA Fire Department
  • Neosho, MO Fire Department
  • Pittsburg, KS Fire Department
  • Plasti-Shell Packing Company and Wayne Goins the for the use of their spur track.
  • Sallisaw,OK Fire Department
  • Sorrento Fire Department and Chief Mike Lambert
  • A Big Thanks to all our Volunteers!
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Kansas City

SP745 arrived in Kansas City early Sunday morning with the assistance of Kansas City Southern Railway after traveling on the historic Southern Belle passenger route that stretches over 800 miles from New Orleans to Kansas City. (KCS News)
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Kansas City Here We Come

In 2004, KCS Railroad had invited SP-745 to Kansas City for the Bicentennial of the Lewis & Clack Expedition. We were unable to attend since the rebuild was running behind schedule. KCS called again in 2005 when the Museum of Science and History opened at the Union Station. We were unable to attend, as members of our crew were still trying to recover from Hurricane Katrina. Finally, in 2006, we were invited to Mardi Gras and this time we couldn’t say no.
With the assistance of Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard arranged a first-rate Mardi Gras exhibit with the help of the Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau along with the Kenner Marid Gras World. We were ready to celebrate Mardi Gras!
745 departed the KCS yard for Kansas City on February 21. We had an unexpected stop in Sorrento, LA due to mechanical problems. Our driver bearing heated up and forced us to stop. We considered returning home but decided to continue.  The next two days were spend on a short industrial siding, where the crew removed the side rods to allow the engine to be towed. At 11:15 am, on February 24, SP745 departed with TFM Locomotive 1412 providing power.
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Steam Train brings Mardi Gras to Kansas City

Press Release Feb 21, 2006

SP-745 Kansas City Union Station

Kansas City’s Union Station and the Louisiana Steam Train
Association announces the Sprit of Louisiana exhibit at Union Station. The Spirit of Louisiana exhibit showcases the history and traditions of Mardi Gras in antique railroad cars pulled by a 1921 steam engine. Both the repairs to the steam train and re-emergence of Mardi Gras after Hurricane Katrina result from strong traditions and deep history. The Mardi Gras exhibit will appear from Friday, February 24 through Tuesday, May 23, 2006.

Mardi Gras, French for “Fat Tuesday”, is the ancient last celebration before
the Christian pre-Easter season of penance and fasting known as Lent. But in New Orleans, Mardi Gras has also evolved into a broader celebration encompassing everything from jazz music, to the African-influenced festivities of the “Mardi Gras Indians”, to the parades both carefully planned and spontaneous, to the full-dress evening balls. Come and see the costumes, the parade throws, the bands, the marching groups, and other elements of this grand celebration.

The train containing the Mardi Gras exhibit includes the last surviving
steam engine built in Louisiana. Number 745, the former Southern Pacific
“Mikado”-type steam locomotive, was built in 1921 and served until 1956. It then retired to display in New Orleans’ Audubon Park. The Louisiana Steam Train Association restored it to operating condition in 2004 and completed repairs after Hurricane Katrina in early February 2006. Today the steam engine operates just as it did in 1921, and pulls antique coaches containing the exhibit.

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March 2005 Test Run

SP 745 and her four Louisiana Bicentennial Train passenger cars successfully completed round trips between Metairie and Reserve, Louisiana, on Kansas City Southern line on March 4 and 5. Along the right of way, thousands of Louisiana residents and hundreds of rail fans were treated to the sights and sounds of the New Orleans built steam locomotive and her historic consist.

On March 6, Huge crowds of families visited SP 745 upon her return. “Dr. Diesel” himself, Mike Palmieri, was observed hamming it up with Skip Waters of Dallas, Texas, as folks came from all over to celebrate SP 745’s return. Engineer Bill Johnson performed at the jamboree with Cajun folk singer Papillion as music takes a blue grass turn. Bill is primo banjo picker for the Backroom Bluegrass Band, creators of “Ghosts Along the Line, Ballard of Ol’745”.

 

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December 2004 – Test Run!

On the road, SP-745 pounding the high iron, with the Ray Deplechain, caboose. Engineer Bill Johnson, Fireman David Bartee were assisted by LASTA hoggers in training – Bill Morris and Keith Bonnette.  Aboard the caboose were a highly motivated and trained crew of LASTA volunteers, who became the first riders behind 745 in fifty years.

 

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January 2004 – Hydro Test

A “day to remember”, January 21, 2004 – SP 745 successfully passed a hydrostatic test. This was witnessed and documented by the Federal Railroad Administration. With the completion of the test, Greg Dodd’s steam team kicked into overdrive. A contract crew came out the next week and installed the blanket of insulation around the boiler barrel and the back head of the firebox.

Work also continued on the other equipment. What started out as two ex-Auto Trains (ex-RF&P baggage cars) are well on their way into becoming theater cars. When completed, each car will have three separate and divided galleries, each supporting its own audio visual equipment as well as separate exhibits depicting the Louisiana Territory at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. LASTA volunteers have put in hundreds of man-hours into the massive remodeling project. Each theater can comfortably accommodate 25 standing adults.

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August 2003 – The Big Plan?

On August 7, LASTA President Bruce Brown met with representatives of Louisiana railroads who were involved in the planning of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Train; scheduled to run November and December 2003.

The meeting was hosted by former Louisiana Lt. Governor & retired KCSRR Vice President Jimmy Fitzmorris. In attendance were representative of Union Pacific Railroad, Kansas City Southern Railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Canadian National (IC) Railroad, and Louisiana & Delta Railroad.

The meeting confirmed the cooperation of the railroads involved and it was decided that the steam train will operate over the lines of BNSF, KCS, and CN railways, with the UPRR providing trackage links as necessary.

 

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January 2003 – 745 Party!

LASTA threw a little party in January to celebrate the remounting of 745 on her wheels. A fine time was had by all. Fried fish and hot dogs greeted the many members of LASTA and their invited guests who came out to witness the lifting of 745 and putting her massive drivers under the boiler.

In addition to the usual suspects, news coverage was quite good. Both the print and TV media were represented at the yard, with a nice spread in the Metro edition of the Times Picayune, and extensive coverage that night on TV.

Greg Dodd has been in town for about six weeks to work on 745. Talk about tireless, you could drive out to the yard and there was Greg under the big red tarp working away.

 
 

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LASTA History – 2001 BBQ

LASTA’s first “rebuild barbeque” was held in the yard on November 17. The new generator car was prepared for Greg and the crew to use during longer stays here.

It will also serve as the crew car for the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Train. The car will sleep eight people and have a shower, toilet, and kitchen. It will also house a generator that will power the other four exhibit coaches.

 

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