Backshop " I never knew the SP had a backshop in New Orleans. I always thought that the furthest east one they had was the T&NO one in Houston."
" I never knew the SP had a backshop in New Orleans. I always thought that the furthest east one they had was the T&NO one in Houston."
See note from the link, originally posted on my O.P.:
"...Although the Algiers Shops' primary function was the repair and service of locomotives, the demands of World War I caused the Shop to begin limited construction of locomotives. Among these were the Southern Pacific Class MK5 Mikado-type locomotives numbered 739 to 750. Of the twelve locomotive, 745 is only known to have survived.
SP 745 transported primarily freight (owing to its relatively slow speed capabilities) throughout Louisiana and Texas during its tenure from 1921 until 1956. However, the locomotive was also used to transport soldiers during World War II. Although it was always painted "Southern Pacific" or "Southern Pacific Lines", it actually worked for SP subsidiaries. The state of Texas had a law that required railroads operating in the state to be based there. SP owned the Galveston, Harrisburg, & San Antonio, and sent 745 to work for it. Later 745 worked for another Texas-based, SP-owned line, the Texas and New Orleans Railroad . In these roles 745 operated mostly between east Texas and the east end of the SP system in New Orleans..." [Emphasis added;]
I never knew the SP had a backshop in New Orleans. I always thought that the furthest east one they had was the T&NO one in Houston.
After the first few years, activity seemed to have dropped off considerably. After the KC trip, there were a few other shorter trips including part of the Sunset Route, then there were "stationary" events where it was on display at Audubon Park. I haven't heard any news about the organization for several years, and their website has only a fraction of the content that it used to have.
Louisiana Steam Train Association (lasta.org)
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
See linked @ https://kensforce.wixsite.com/railroads/post/southern-pacific-2-8-2-mikado-745
A history Of SP #745...Retired from SP RR Freight serice in 1984, and placed on display in Audubon Park.New Orleans. I had seen #745 there on visits to the NOLA area. She was, extracted, {owned by several railfan groups finally, leased to; and made operational in 1990's, by the Louisiana Steam Train Association. They operated her in Louisiana, and in 2004 [IIRC December?]. I was in College at P.S.U. Puttsburg, Ks. #745 was on a trip from Reserve.La to KCMO; via the KCS ( and on a stop in Pittsbiurg,{ during their Little Balkan Days Festival} , with the help of WATCO's assistance, and Hear of the Heartland RR Club, helped L.A.S.T.A. to earn some extra $$$$, she was run from Pittsbiurg, SW about 30 min. and then with a SKOL engine pulled 745,and train back to Pittsburg. Over a couple of days she made several trips each day, and back. [Her train was comprised of three RDC Cars owned by Watco Corp;and used for trips from the Heart of the Heartland RR Club, and Mseum, over WATCO Trackage.]
From Pittsburg, she went over KCS to KCMO, and returned to Louisiana.
LASTA has several web sites, but I was not able to learn of #745's current status ??
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.