Rebuilding SP 745
The preservation and restoration of SP 745 is not only a means of safeguarding an important piece of local history but also an essential investment in Louisiana’s cultural heritage and identity. By actively supporting this project, supporters ensure that future generations can access and appreciate the tangible legacy this historic locomotive represents.
The locomotive has been a fixture in the New Orleans area since 1952, when the Southern Pacific donated the locomotive to the city and placed it on display. Twenty-eight years later, in 1984, due to a planned expansion of the Audubon Zoo, the locomotive had to go. The Old Kenner Railway Association rescued and moved the locomotive a few miles away to Jefferson Parish. In 1997, the Louisiana Steam Train Association was formed and took over responsibility for restoring the locomotive. By December 2004, #745 finally began its first mainline operations in 48 years.
After operating out of the Jefferson Yard for decades, in 2025, LASTA received notice that it must vacate the site only a few short weeks before the scheduled start of a grant-funded rebuild. This relocation requirement has had a significant impact on the project, as the regulatory approvals for work at the existing location were already in place. Consequently, the abrupt need to secure a new facility temporarily halted the grant process and created an urgent need for additional funding to support both relocation and continued restoration efforts.
The rebuild grant was also intended to serve as matching funds for additional grants, allowing LASTA to advance multiple phases of the project simultaneously—including site development and rail infrastructure in the new home, Garyville. However, the unexpected delay in accessing the rebuild funds has also delayed the ability to leverage those funds as a match, slowing progress on related state-funded projects and extending overall timelines.
Although the #745 rebuild project may have appeared dormant, progress has continued behind the scenes with crew members updating design documentation and coordinating with technical consultants to ensure the rebuild proceeds efficiently once relocation is complete. It has been a lengthy process—we were preparing to begin work once some additional funds are secured.
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.
💡 How YOU Can Help 💡
💵 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!
👉 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.
🛠️ 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!
https://lasta.org/volunteer/