Steamfest

2016 Steamfest

Steam Fest Is Back!!!

After several years on hiatus due to major levee reconstruction on The Fly at Audubon Park, Southern Pacific Steam Locomotive #745 returns! It’s the 2016 Steam Train Festival!  The historic engine and her exhibit train will be parked on the rails at “The Fly” for all to see Saturday and Sunday, October 15th and 16th from 9 am to 5 pm both days.

SP 745 is the star attraction of Steam Fest! The nearly 100-year-old steam engine was built just across the river in Algiers in 1921 and is the only surviving Louisiana built steam locomotive. The old girl sat as a cold, static display in Audubon Park from 1956 to 1984 when she was pulled out of the park to make room for the expansion of Audubon Zoo.

Now 745 returns to Audubon Park as a hot, living, breathing, steaming, fully restored blast from the past! Visitors will be able to view this monstrous mechanical marvel and climb aboard 745 to blow her whistle and see how a real steam engine operates. Steam Fest is a rare chance to experience a unique and significant piece of New Orleans and Louisiana railroad history up close and personal.

But that’s not all! Showcased inside our theatre cars will be a special exhibit of the many historical monuments of New Orleans and their creators. The exhibit will cover monuments to real people erected from before the Civil War to the present. There will also be displays on the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad as well as the Louisiana Steam Train Association (LASTA) which maintains and operates SP 745.

As always, music is an integral part of the entertainment at Steam Fest. Hazel and the Delta Ramblers, a Steam Fest favorite, will perform along with three other musical groups…Bob and The Thunder, River Rats and Jenn Howard and Band. There will also be a bounce house and rock wall climbing to add to the excitement for the kids! Of course, Steam Fest would not be the same without good food, liquid refreshments and railroad related gifts!

All are welcome to come out, enjoy and support a special piece of living Louisiana railroad history at the 2016 Steam Train Festival!

By 745, ago

Steam Fest

The LASTA Board has decided to postpone Steam Fest for 2012, previously set for May of this year. While LASTA searches for another Steam Fest Coordinator, the Board is reviewing ideas for moving the event from the “Fly” at Audubon Park to a more popular and accessible location.  The goal is to find a location which will allow 745 to actually build up to full steam and move along the track for the enjoyment of patrons.
By 745, ago

2011 Steamfest

By 745, ago

2011 Steam Fest Info

LASTA Members, your Steam Fest is coming up May 14th and 15th back at the Audubon Park Riverview. The construction of the new ballfields is finally complete. The fest grounds have doubled in size. Attendance for LASTA Members is free so come on out. Hours for the event are from 10 to 7. SP745 will be under steam after a full reassembly following the five-year inspection. The cab will be open for tours. Bring your camera to take pictures on the front of the engine. 745 is in the best shape ever.

The consist will be open for tours. We will have an exhibit providing an overview of the state bicentennial trip along with a maritime steam exhibit. This maritime exhibit will complement a large selection of maritime steam engines from a various marine craft all professionally restored. One of these engines will actually be run with steam fed from 745. The “Thomas” kiddie train will give rides. Multiple model train layouts will be there for the junior engineers. An inflatable train will be available for the kids to climb through. Operation Lifesaver will reinforce the rail crossing safety message.

The music line-up includes classic rock by “The Refugeze” and rock-a-billy by “Christian Serpas and Ghost Town” on Saturday. On Sunday the Bluegrass band “Hazel and the Delta Ramblers” play followed up by the 60’s and 70’s band “Liquid Peace Revolution”.  Food vendors will be on site along with cold drinks and frozen treats. The gift shop will be set up. And as always pets are welcome.

This is LASTA’s one and only fundraiser. We welcome everyone to come out and have fun with us to keep 745 in top shape. We look forward to seeing you there.

By 745, ago

Steam Fest III

Steam Fest II was held on October 20 and 21. This year’s theme was military railroading with a special guest present who served in the US Army Transportation Corps during WWII. Visitors were able to see dozens of railroad photographs, maps and other items in our theater cars.

Visitors were also able to climb aboard our magnificent steam locomotive and our red caboose.

During the event, we maintained 50 lbs of steam so that visitors could feel her ‘alive’. Musical entertainment was provided by Rocky’s Hot Foxtrot Orchestra, Hazel and the Delta Ramblers and Gal Holiday and The Honky Tonk Revue.

By 745, ago

Steam Fest

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the donation by Southern Pacific Railroad to Audubon Park of steam locomotive number 745. This year also marks the first anniversary of this historic engine’s rebirth as the Spirit of Louisiana!

LASTA held its first STEAM FEST with the locomotive and her exhibit train on display at Riverview Park behind Audubon Zoo on October 14 and 15. Music was provided by Dennis and Company , Country Fried , Pat Flory and Hazel and the Delta Ramblers. A special slide lecture was given by railroad historian Louis Saillard.

By 745, ago