Excursion

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.

By 745, ago

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

By 745, ago

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.
By 745, ago

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 IH-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’s exhibit cars were wonderfully decorated with items from the Kenner Mardi Gras museum and were displayed on Mardi Gras Day (2/28) for media and the Union Station museum staff. The exhibit opened to the public on Saturday, March 4, and remained open for several weeks.

Kansas City

 

 

 

 

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 and its employees, from the president down to the car man, for their support and encouragement.
  • New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, for getting 745 into the general transportation system and assisting with our safety training.
  • Canadian National Railway Company (CN Railroad)
  • Wayne Goins and the Plasti-Shell Packing Company for the use of their spur track.
  • Chief Mike Lambert with the Sorrento Fire Department
  • Gonzales Police and Fire Departments
  • Cypress Recycle for the late night fuel oil delivery to Sorrento

  • Chief Burl Larson with the Coushatta Fire Department
  • Cado Parish Dist 1 and 8, Colfax, Coushatta and Morganza as well as other Louisiana firefighters and departments who helped with our water logistics.
  • Decatur(MO) Drexel (MO), Mena (AR), Neosho (MO), Pittsburg (KS) and Sallisaw(OK) Fire Departments
  • A Big Thanks to all our Volunteers!
By 745, ago

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)
By 745, ago