745

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

Yet another delay in our plans for historic steam locomotive SP 745 to pull an empty grain train on the New Orleans and Gulf Coast Railroad. The NOGC has just informed us that they do not expect a grain train for us to pull for another two weeks. 

Again, the NOGC says we will get approximately 5 days notice on when a grain train is on the way and we will give all of you that same notice as well as a projected date and time for this historic run. 

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 simple 1 dollar 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 next year as required by the FRA.

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 an exact date and time, you will be notified. 

So how about it EVERYBODY! Click on our GoFundMe page and donate just 1 dollar and more if you can!

Thanks!
LASTA (Louisiana Steam Train Association)

745′ Historical Steam Freight Run will start in Belle Chasse and end at the NOGC Yard in Gretna. The following suggested route should allow for multiple viewing locations.

* Please respect all traffic laws.
* Do not enter railroad or private property without permission. 

Driving Directions

1. The trip will start near 14715 LA-23, Belle Chasse, LA
2. Head northwest on LA-23 for 3.6 miles
3. Turn Right onto Hwy 11 and travel north for 1.5 miles
4. Turn Right onto LA-23
5. Travel North on LA-23 and continue past LA 23 BBQ. The train will turn away from the highway and into the Bell Chasse Yard
6. Travel North on LA-23 as the highway curves and continues to the northwest. After crossing the drawbridge, the tracks will then turn away from Belle Chasse Highway near Mel Ott Park. 
7. Turn Right onto Hwy 90 (West Band Expressway) and stay on the access road. The train will pass under the Westbank Expressway by Primary Veterinary Care ( 90 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA).
8. Turn Left on Stumpf Blvd.
9. Turn Right on Kepler St. The Train will then pass up the last major crossing near Cafe 615 ( 615 Kepler St, Gretna, LA 70053). 
10. Turn Left on Monroe St.
11. Turn Left on Romain St.
12. Turn Right on Madison St. The train will travel North on Madison Street. This is a residential street with limited room. The trip will conclude at the Gretna yard.