Gretna Fest

2016 Gretna Fest

SP 745 APPEARANCE AT THE 2016 GRETNA FEST HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Due to circumstances beyond our control, historic Southern Pacific Steam Locomotive # 745 and train WILL NOT appear at this year’s Gretna Fest! We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.

Please look for SP 745 and her exhibit train at STEAM FEST! Check back here at www.LASTA.org for the very latest on STEAM FEST, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 15th and 16th, 9 am to 5 pm both days on The Fly at Audubon Park!

By 745, ago

Gretna Heritage Festival

Dear LASTA Members, your LASTA Crew will be in attendance at this year’s Gretna Heritage Festival, however, the 745 locomotive and her cars will not.
This unfortunate circumstance is due to lack of available rail to switch our equipment caused by the reconfiguration of the yard and adjoining track along the main line. Your Crew continues their efforts to reconfigure track for more mobility in the yard as our stopgap measure until the new location is secured. Plan to come to see all the work at the upcoming Christmas party in December. The exact date will be announced soon.
Meanwhile, we look forward to seeing you at the GretnaFest. Stop by and say hi!
Barry Keegan
Director
LASTA Marketing
LASTA will be present staffing our booth at the usual location on 4th St. and Huey P. Long Ave. along with Operation Lifesaver. We will support our sponsor Ellsworth Corporation with their maritime steam exhibit.
By 745, ago

Gretna Heritage Festival

Dear LASTA Members , you are invited to come see the Southern Pacific 745 Steam Locomotive make her second appearance at the annual Gretna Heritage Festival a.k.a. GretnaFest this weekend from October 7-9.

 

Your dedicated volunteers completed the annual Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) inspection just in time to steam up and operate the engine. She is now fired and under steam at the yard in advance of the move to the West Bank during the day tomorrow under diesel powered escort. Once we arrive at the 4th Street track in Gretna LASTA will drop the fire for the duration of the event and relight for the return to Old Jefferson on Monday the 10th. Come out while we are on the move and crossing the Huey P. Long Bridge on either of these days. The exact move times will be posted as we get them coordinated with our partner railroads.

The engine will be displayed prominently on 4th St. by the intersection of Huey P. Long Avenue. LASTA is bringing the Jefferson Parlor car and the LASTA Caboose along with the “Mike Hankins” Memorial Crew Car. The 745 cab will be staffed for tours again this year. LASTA volunteer and certified instructor “Bigfoot” will staff the Operation Lifesaver display inside the Caboose. The Jefferson will be set up for our members to tour and take a break from the festival action in style.

New this year for the festival is our corporate sponsor Ellsworth Corporation’s large display trailer setup with another batch of beautifully restored marine engines and artifacts. Two of these will be connected to an external compressor in lieu of live steam to actually operate.

Wear you LASTA attire or buy some new items at our gift shop. The LASTA HO-scale model of the consist will be on display for sale of additional raffle tickets. Photographs will be allowed on the front of the engine again this year.

Pass the word along for others that may be headed to the fest to come see us and see how your generous donations have allowed your LASTA volunteers to maintain the last remaining Louisiana built locomotive with meticulous care.

Thank you for your continued support!!

Barry Keegan
LASTA Director of Marketing

By 745, ago