Rebuilding Southern Pacific No. 745
The Road Back to Steam
Follow the inspection, overhaul, and restoration of Louisiana’s own 1921 Southern Pacific steam locomotive as LASTA prepares No. 745 for its next chapter in Garyville.
The preservation and restoration of Southern Pacific No. 745 is an important investment in Louisiana’s railroad heritage. Donated to the City of New Orleans in 1952, the locomotive was displayed in Audubon Park until 1984, when the Old Kenner Railway Association rescued it from removal during the zoo’s expansion. The Louisiana Steam Train Association (LASTA), established in 1997, restored No. 745 to operation in December 2004 after nearly five decades out of service.
In 2025, LASTA was required to vacate its longtime Jefferson Parish yard just as preparations for a grant-funded rebuild were advancing. The unexpected relocation disrupted restoration plans, delayed access to grant funding, and affected additional projects that depended on those funds for matching requirements.
Despite these challenges, LASTA volunteers have continued engineering, planning, and coordinating the work needed to restore No. 745. The priority is now securing the remaining funding, completing relocation preparations, and moving forward with the locomotive’s rebuild at its new home in Garyville.
Your support makes an immediate and multiplied impact.
Due to federal and state match requirements, every $1 donated can unlock up to $4 in additional grant funding—turning your contribution into as much as $5 toward restoring SP 745. A single 745 Club membership of $745 has the potential to generate up to $3,725 in total project impact.
That means your donation doesn’t just help—it drives the entire project forward.
By contributing now, donors not only help secure an appropriate facility for SP 745 to be rebuilt and ultimately returned to operation, but also play a vital role in sustaining the community’s cultural heritage and shared history.
Planned Restoration Phases
The following sequence reflects LASTA’s working restoration plan and may change as inspections, shop availability, funding, and relocation progress develop.
- Movement readiness: running gear, brakes, bearings, drawbar, and tender-related work.
- Boiler inspection and engineering: disassembly, inspection, required calculations, and documentation.
- Boiler repairs: address findings from the inspection and approved repair scope.
- Tubes and flues: removal, inspection, and replacement as required.
- Appliances and mechanical systems: inspection, repair, and installation.
- Final assembly and testing: painting, steam testing, regulatory documentation, and closeout.
Current Status: Preparing for Relocation
Southern Pacific No. 745 is out of service as LASTA prepares for its required federal inspection and overhaul. The immediate work focuses on safely preparing the locomotive for movement from the Jefferson Parish yard toward its next repair location and, ultimately, its planned permanent home in Garyville, Louisiana.
The need to vacate LASTA’s longtime Jefferson Parish yard added a significant first step to the rebuild. Before rail movement, the host railroad and regulators must approve the locomotive for transportation. This preparation is distinct from the later boiler overhaul and return-to-service certification.
- Inspection and repair of running gear, axles, bearings, rods, and related components as required.
- Brake-system inspection and necessary repairs.
- Evaluation of the drawbar and connections between locomotive and tender.
- Assessment of tender trucks, wheelsets, and other movement-related equipment.
- Coordination with qualified contractors and the railroads involved in the move.
The actual move is dependent on equipment condition, railroad acceptance, available facilities, and completion of the required track and interchange arrangements. The project team has not set a public movement date.
💡 How YOU Can Help 💡
👉 JOIN – Your membership is a key part of our mission. By supporting the preservation of SP 745 and the rest of our historic rail collection, you and your family will play a pivotal role in preserving a bygone era of rail travel. Your membership is a direct contribution to our cause, making you an integral part of our journey.
💵 DONATE – We’re on a mission but we still need your help! Additional funds are required to cover significant moving costs, equipment relocation, and site preparation. To donate, click the link below or contact us for more information about sponsorship opportunities. Together, we can preserve this unique piece of history for future generations!
🛠️ VOLUNTEER – We’re always looking for help at the yard — whether you have railroad experience or just a willingness to lend a hand. We have a dedicated team of volunteers working tirelessly on the relocation and our other vital projects. Any help is welcome in the coming months!