The following timeline of events was complied from various sources, including the LASTA newsletter, public news outlets and input from our members. If you have any information to add or wish to make a correction, please notify our webmaster.
1919 - In a burst of genius, the Southern
Pacific placed an order for repair and replacement parts for their existing
fleet of Mk-5's. These 2-8-2 work horses were the backbone of SP / T&NO's
freight haulers, and were capable of helping passenger traffic on locals or
special movements. Baldwin supplied the parts ordered; while some went to the
Houston Texas shops, most came to New Orleans. Rather than simply repairing
existing locos, the Algiers Shops became a locomotive manufacturer. Thru 1921,
the Shops turned out a dozen sister "Mike's"; receiving road numbers
738-750. As part of the SP’s Texas
and New Orleans subsidiary, the Mikes spent most of their working lives
east of El Paso and west of the Sabine. Because of Texas railroad law, the distinctive
Vanderbilt tenders were recipients of a “dog house”,
a small metal out-house looking shed built atop the tender, to provide a station
for the brakeman.
1956 - The post war downturn and the demand for diesel engines
cut short the life of the Ladies and all of their brood. With only thirty plus
years of service, they were sent to scrap, with two exceptions. One was presented
to the city of Lafayette, Louisiana, in recognition of that city's status as
a division point on the SP. The other, 745, was given to the city of New Orleans,
the home of her birth. Brought from Avondale Yard on the west bank, 745 was
given a spit and polish shine and photographed on the turntable of the New Orleans
Public Belt Railroad, where she was turned to head into what was to be her final
resting spot, a display track at Audubon Park.
1982 - The nearly forgotten engine was on what might have been her last, one way trip, to a scrap heap. Audubon was planning a major expansion to the Audubon Zoo, which would eventually become their signature Louisiana Swamp Exhibit. Word was that the steam locomotive would have to go. The local model railroad club, the Crescent City Model Railroad Club (CCMRC) had many members who were both model railroaders as well as "railfans". When word got out that the SP 745 might be on a one way ticket to extinction, about a dozen of the CCMRC banded together to form the Old Kenner Railway Association (OKRA).
1983 - The Audubon Park Board chose to place the fate of SP 745 in local hands and transferred ownership to OKRA. From that point on, OKRA members worked within the fenced-in, close confines to get the locomotive ready for a trip on her own wheels for the first time in nearly thirty years. Rods were removed from the wheels and chained down to the top of the vandy tender as all preparations were made for the big day!
1984 - In the Fall, a crew of OKRA volunteers began to move 745 using panel rails that had been donated by the Southern Pacific Railroad. The panels were put behind the train and 745 was pulled along with a bulldozer. With only two panel rails, the crew kept alternating pieces of track by moving them from front to the back all the way to the main line. After several months of hard work, the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad (IRCGRR) was contracted to bend their main line track to connect to the panel rails to move SP 745 onto the main track.
The ICGRR switch engine arrived, coupled up to our engine and with a triumphant "BLAAAT" on the diesel's air horn; 745 was moving at last. When she was clear of the panel rails, the ICGRR track crew bent the main line back to its original path. SP 745 was leading the way west out of New Orleans. Being "gently" prodded along by the ICGRR switcher past Bisso Towing, the "Eagle Street Railroad" (of the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board), and Lampert Junction, SP 745 left Orleans Parish for the first time in over 28 years! The switch to the yard was thrown and SP 745 entered its new home in Jefferson Parish at the Sears/A&P Warehouses.
OKRA did not plan for SP 745 to spend much time in Jefferson. In fact, OKRA president Kasdan had brought Bill Purdie, Southern Railway's longtime steam guru, to New Orleans to assess SP 745 and Mr. Purdie spent quite a long time crawling on, over, around and through SP 745 giving the old girl a good once over. He pronounced her a candidate for rebuild to operation and estimated that it would take about $400,000 (in 1984 monies) to do the job. Kasdan was in long negotiations with business folks in the metropolitan area who might be looking for donations to receive tax breaks. While this was going on, changes in the tax laws made such shelters financial non starters, and early plans to ship 745 directly from Audubon Zoo to the Southern Railway Shops at Birmingham, Alabama, fell through. But for years afterwards, OKRA harbored hopes of sending 745 to the Southern Shops. Only the elimination of Southern's steam program removed the last hope that 745 would be getting the Purdie touch.
1996- Bruce Brown stopped at the railyard and began his obsession with the magnificent 745 engine coming back to life. The yellow sign, "Friends of 745," led him to Richard and Bubba. They spent hours telling of its recent past. Bubba's great salesmanship (boxes of Ponchatoula strawberries and frequent phone calls) kept the dream alive. Introductions to the men who maintained the yard and its equipment through the years (both Eds, Brotus Krenkel, Richard, Bubba, Ralph Hopkins, and George) were made. Introductions were also made to Louis Schultz, Executive Trustee of the Louisiana Railroad Heritage Trust, who was extremely cooperative in writing letters and preparing legal documents for LASTA to become incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit association. The Trust maintained ownership of 745 and leased her to LASTA for restoration and operation.
1997 - One of LASTA's first acts after its incorporation as a 501c3 on June 29, 1997 was to create a plan of use for 745 once it had been restored. Our original idea was to run weekend trips on the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) from the foot of Canal Street to Carrolton and St. Charles (the Riverbend) with a brief stop at Audubon Park. A feasibility study was completed predicting more than adequate profitability for our planned use of 745.
1998 - LASTA began negotiations with the NOPB to obtain permission to run 745 between the French Quarter and Audubon Park. Our presentation to the eighteen member Belt Commission was very well received, and a seven member subcommittee was appointed to investigate the idea further. LASTA worked with Mr. Duplechain and this subcommittee over several months and were able to provide reassurance about, among other matters, liability, alternate plans in case of breakdowns, and examples of cordial relations between tourist and host railroads in other cities across the country. The final decision of the subcommittee was made in the summer of 1998. They expressed interest in the project ; however, they cited increased freight business in the city as a paramount cause for not granting us track rights. They correctly pointed out that the feasibility study's estimate of revenue was based on six runs a weekend and that we would be in serious financial difficulty if they were forced to deny runs because of freight obligations.
On September 14, 745 placed on the National Historic Register and therefore eligible for various funding sources. ( Established by Congress in 1966, the National Register of Historic Places is the nation's official list of significant historic properties. Each state has a historic preservation office which is responsible for nominating buildings, sites, districts, etc. to the Register. In Louisiana this program is administered by the Division of Historic Preservation, which is part of the Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. )
1999 - After the Public Belt Railroad Commission's denial of LASTA's use of their track, one of the Commission members suggested that we investigate Norfolk Southern's short line to Braithwaite, LA. We explored this idea and found much enthusiasm from people in the area, especially State Senator Lynn Dean. Our train's run could originate at Jackson Barracks, stop at the Chalmette Battlefield, and proceed to St. Bernard State Park, where riders could disembark and have a picnic in beautiful surroundings before the train's return (the entire trip would encompass 15 miles). In the process of this planning, we got to meet and befriend David Fowler, then superintendent of Norfolk Southern in New Orleans. While Norfolk Southern has a "no steam" policy, Mr. Fowler and LASTA spent hours considering the possibility of LASTA leasing the short line. Another business plan was originated by Lisa Amoss and a student from the Tulane University Freeman School of Business which indicated the feasibility of such a weekend run.
This whole venture had to be discarded due to a new plant opening in Braithwaite which required rail service from Norfolk Southern on the short line. In spite of Mr. Fowler's urging us not to give up, LASTA was particularly down and out during this time. It seemed that another noble effort to revitalize the "745" was going to be overcome by insurmountable obstacles. Then the miracle of St. Michael's!!!!
LASTA approached Sister Lillian, one of the nuns who devoted their lives to building and sustaining St. Michael's Special School. We described our dream to her and then told of all the setbacks along the way. She gently suggested that we go to the chapel and prayed with us for the answer to our stalemate. As we were leaving, she said that God's will would be done and gave us some Lourdes water. Two weeks later, LASTA was notified by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development that its application for the Intermodial Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) was not only found to be eligible, but approved in its first phase. Sister Lillian has since passed on, but we know that we continue to have a saint in heaven praying for us. St. Michael's School will always be one of our beneficiaries in our future charity runs for kids.
At first we were so excited we had no idea of the tunnel of madness we were entering - joyous nightmares!!
Everyone at DOTD was very pleasant and well meaning, but they all sang (as in the chorus in a Greek tragedy) the same song: "This has never been done before. No steam engine has ever been restored with enhancement funds. We are familiar with roads, bridges, old railroad depots, bike paths, etc., but not steam engines." They loved the proposal and LASTA was fortunate when George Gele was appointed as our project coordinator. George is a man with the wisdom and patience of the ancient pyramids. He convinced us not to jump in the River Styx when obstacles were placed in our path.
Our first hurdle was, in retrospect, the easiest. LASTA's project description had to be mailed to all state and federal officials and agencies to invite them to voice concerns about the project's environmental impact. We received not a single objection. God bless. The second hurdle was more complicated and absorbed our time and energy for remainder of 1999 and 2000.
2000 - Our project was required by ISTEA regulations to have a governmental sponsor. Because we never received any serious interest from the Morial administration (City of New Orleans, Mayor 1994-2002 ), we approached the Regional Planning Commission to act as our sponsor. The RPC staff was very helpful, but had their own set of guidelines to be met before they could meet our request. After months of answering their questions and concerns, the 745 restoration project was presented to the full commission and was adopted by the full membership. Victory was only momentary, as we were soon informed that the Regional Planning Commission was not a suitable governmental sponsor since it had no power to raise money from taxes.
JULY 2001 - Our major accomplishment has been maintaining sanity during the ordeal of bidding proposal preparation due to LASTA's lack of experience in the regulation-filled minefield of state and federal bureaucracy, and the DOTD's inexperience with a steam engine restoration. Nationwide, we were the first steam engine to be restored with federal ISTEA fund and the obstacles were almost insurmountable. Finally, on July 25, the bid to complete Phase I was awarded to Greg Dodd, master steam mechanic of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Dillsboro, North Carolina.
Greg had the bid just for one day since it was declared invalid the following day because the bid bond check was not received. Greg was ready to quit, but under Bruce's spell he finally agreed to resubmit his bid. To complicate matters even more, another "interested" individual showed up at the site to view the project. This individual admitted he knew little about steam engines, but wanted to make "a lot of money" since he had given up his share of one of the state's gaming casinos. He said he was going to hire some "good people" to fix 745. He arranged for some consultants to come by and look the job over but they never showed up! This same individual, on the day the bid was due, missed the deadline by ten minutes! Greg was again the only bidder. Bruce had a lot of scotch that night to celebrate life's absurdities. But the drink was too soon!
The next day, the bid was again declared invalid since the bid bond check was again missing. Before planning to jump off the Crescent City Connection, Bruce wanted to at least explain to Greg why he didn't get the bid again. When told, Greg screamed very loudly that he did put the check in the envelope with the bid. On the way to the bridge, Bruce called the DOTD and told them what Greg had screamed. They checked the envelope and found the check! They stated that they had never seen a bid without a check stapled to it and thus assumed that the check was not there. Thank God the envelope was saved! Bruce immediately turned from the bridge. but again it was much too early to celebrate.
After a bid is accepted, a certain amount of time is permitted to obtain a performance bond before the bid is declared invalid. LASTA, Greg, Jefferson Parish, and countless insurance agencies tried to obtain the required bond. LASTA was finally told that it would be easier to get the required bond to build another Taj Mahal than to restore a steam engine. Finally at the eleventh hour, Bobby Palmer, a friend of Bruce, was able to get the required performance bond. Greg still maintains that the actual rebuild of 745 will be much easier than obtaining the "Notice to Proceed".
OCTOBER 26, 2001 - " As you may know by now, my crew and I came to your lovely town on October 26, 2001 and started tearing 745 down on October 29, 2001. The 745 cooperated very well. So far it is going to be a good rebuild. I have seen both better and worse rebuilds. We are looking forward to returning in January to get the boiler ready for sandblasting and do form #4 surveys. Until then I really would like to thank everyone for all the help and support." Greg Dodd
NOVEMBER 2001 - LASTA's first "rebuild barbeque" was held in the yard on November 17.
The new too / generator car was prepared for Greg and crew to use during longer stays here. It will also serve as the crew car for the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Train. It will sleep eight people and have a shower, toilet, and kitchen. It will also house a generator which will power the other four exhibit coaches.
JANUARY 2003 - LASTA threw a little party in January to celebrate the remounting of 745 on her wheels. A fine time was had by all. Fried fish and hot dogs greeted the many members of LASTA and their invited guests who came out to witness the lifting of 745 and putting her massive drivers under the boiler. In addition to the usual suspects, news coverage was quite good. Both the print and TV media were represented at the yard, with a nice spread in the Metro edition of the Times Picayune, and extensive coverage that night on TV.
Greg Dodd has been in town for about six weeks to work on 745. Talk about tireless, you could drive out to the yard and there was Greg under the big red tarp working away.
AUGUST 2003 - On August 7, LASTA President Bruce Brown met with representatives of Louisiana railroads who were involved in the planning of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Train; scheduled to run November and December 2003. The meeting was hosted by former Louisiana Lt. Governor & retired KCSRR Vice President Jimmy Fitzmorris. In attendance were representative of Union Pacific Railroad, Kansas City Southern Railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Canadian National (IC) Railroad, and Louisiana & Delta Railroad. The meeting confirmed the cooperation of the railroads involved and it was decided that the steam train will operate over the lines of BNSF, KCS, and CN railways, with the UPRR providing trackage links as necessary.
JANUARY 2004 - A "day to remember" , Januray 21, 2005 - SP 745 successfully passed a hydrostatic test. This was witnessed and documented by the Federal Railroad Administration. With the completion of the test, Greg Dodd's steam team kicked into overdrive. A contract crew came out the next week and installed the blanket of insulation around the boiler barrel and the back head of the firebox.
Work also continued on the other equipment. What started out as two ex-Auto Trains (ex-RF&P baggage cars) are well on their way into becoming theater cars. When completed, each car will have three separate and divided galleries, each supporting its own audio visual equipment as well as separate exhibits depicting the Louisiana Territory at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. LASTA volunteers have put in hundreds of man hours into the massive remodeling project. Each theater can comfortably accommodate 25 standing adults.
FEBRUARY 2005 - 745 and its caboose made its first trial run from Metairie (West Yard) to Reserve, LA on February 28.
MARCH 2005 - SP 745 and her four Louisiana Bicentennial Train passenger cars successfully completed round trips between Metairie and Reserve, Louisiana, on Kansas City Southern line on March 4 and 5.. Along the right of way, thousands of Louisiana residents and hundreds of rail fans were treated to the sights and sounds of the New Orleans built steam locomotive and her historic consist.
On March 6, Huge crowds of families visited SP 745 upon her return. "Dr. Diesel" himself, Mike Palmieri, was observed hamming it up with Skip Waters of Dallas, Texas, as folks came from all over to celebrate SP 745's return. Engineer Bill Johnson performed at the jamboree with Cajun folk singer Papillion as music takes a blue grass turn. Bill is primo banjo picker for the Backroom Bluegrass Band, creators of "Ghosts Along the Line, Ballard of Ol'745".
MARCH 2005 - On March 29, 745 departed the LASTA yard in Jefferson, Louisiana, for a short trip to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOUPT), where she and her train were displayed to the general public. Two days later ,745 and crew headed west bound over the former SP main line to Morgan City, Louisiana, on the first leg of her trans-Louisiana trip. It is more than appropriate that her first stop was in the city where she was born and that the city was named for the president of the SPRR predecessor, Morgan's Louisiana & Texas. The trip continued on the Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport, Vicksburg (MS), Baton Rouge and then home to New Orleans.
Louisiana Bicentennial Train Schedule
Engineers Journal - Coming Soon!
LASTA wishes to again thank our state's great railroads, the BNSF Railway, the KCS, and the CN, for permitting the Louisiana Bicentennial Train to use their main lines.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this trip possible.
Voices of Acadiana: Former train engineer, city official reminisces - ."Pappy" Landry talks about his days with the Southern Pacific Railroad in this four part audio interview. Pappy worked for 35 years and served as engineer, Road Foreman of Engines and finally retired as a Rules and Training Officer.
FEBRUARY 2006 - KANSAS CITY HERE WE COME! - SP745 arrived in Kansas City early Sunday morning with the assistance of Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS News March 1, 2006 )after traveling on the historic Southern Belle passenger route that stretches over 800 miles from New Orleans to Kansas City. LASTA's exhibit cars, which have been wonderfully decorated with items from the Kenner Mardi Gras Museum, 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 4th, and remained open for several weeks. Thanks to everyone who helped make this trip possible.
During the trip to Kansas City, 745 had some mechanical problems with several bearings. A comprehensive inspection report was completed by our team members and projected the cost of repairs at $29,745.
Trip Timeline:
2/21 - Left New Orleans and stopped in Sorrento, LA due to mechanical problems.
2/21 - The crew spent most of the day removing the rods on both sides of the engine.
2/23 - The rods were removed and the train was ready to travel.
2/24 - After several days of delay, SP745 departed Sorrento at 11:15am with KCS Locomotive TFM 1412 providing power. (Thank the good people in Gonzales and Sorrento, LA, for their assistance during our unexpected stop!)
2/25 - 745 continued northbound, passing DeQueen, AR early this morning.
2/25 - 745 arrived in Kansas City
MARCH 2006 - 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF KEARNEY
AUGUST 2006 - 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 1940’s. The trip included a special run for Watco company officers, employees and customers.
OCTOBER 2006 - 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!” The locomotive and her exhibit train were 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.
NOVEMBER 2006 - LASTA held its first general meeting in the new Sea Island Visitors Center on Novmeber 2nd. The officers and team leaders provided information on our recent events and updated the membership on current projects. LASTA extended its lease on 745 and various pieces of equipment owned by LRHT. Louis Saillard reported that we gained 43 members during the month of October. Many joined during our successful "Steam Fest" that was held at Audubon Park. Harry Abbott was appointed as our new Safety Officer.
745 and several of her cars made their movie debut during filming of The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons .The set was located at the old T&P Yard (Race Street) on the Mississippi River about two blocks upriver from the New Orleans Morial Convention. 745 had all lettering removed from her firemen's side and replaced with a Southern Railroad “SR” logo as well as the "Southern" name. 745 was also renumbered on that side and under the headlight to "682." The Jefferson Parlor car also had her lettering removed and was stenciled “Southern” along the side and across the rear platform top. - 745 on the set!
FEBRUARY 2007 - On February 7, we departed at approximately 8 am for our test run. We arrived in Baton Rouge around noon, turned at the Canadian National (CN) "Y" and then remained overnight at the KCS Yard . At 8 am the following morning, we departed for our return trip to New Orleans, arrived at the CN yard just before 2pm, where we waited until both the north and south bound Amtrak trains passed. We then proceeded to Lambert junction where we met the Public Belt switcher to escort us back to our yard. 745 was back in her home yard by 4:30 PM., successfully completing her first trip since Kansas City Excursion.
Old steam engine to get test run - The Shreveport Time 2-5-07
MAY 2007 - The annual inspection was completed with FRA present
JULY 2007 - On Saturday, July 14 we gathered at Mike’s house to apply the usual LASTA elbow grease to make some much needed home repairs. Later in the month, Listerine on Sundays , a local production, filmed at the LASTA yard for several days. This film is set to be released in early 2008.
OCTOBER 2007- Frank Davis, Naturally New Orleans ran a segment about 745 and Steamfest. You can view the story on the WWL website Steam Fest II was held on October 20 and 21, 2007. This year's them was military railroading and our special guest served in the US Army Transportation Corps during WWII. Visitor were able to see dozens of railroad photographs, maps and other items in our theater cars. .Visitors were also able to climb aboard our our magnificent steam locomotive and our red caboose. During the event was maintained 50 lbs of steam, so that visitors could feel and 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.
Copyright 2008 Louisiana Steam Train Association, New Orleans
Updated:
March 13, 2008
The Louisiana Steam Train Association (LASTA) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation.