Old No. 745 March 3, 2008
Posted by Mark Folse in 504, Dancing Bear, New Orleans, NOLA, Odds&Sods, Toulouse Street, Uncategorized.Tags: Audubon Park, New Orleans, NOLA< 504, railroad, steam engine
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I last saw the steam engine Southern Pacific No. 745 out the window of my wife’s hospital room at Ochsner Hospital, parked on a siding just across Jefferson Highway. At the time, I did not make a connection between the locomotive and cars I saw there and the black behemoth I used to clamber on as a child at Audubon Park, but I learned that it is one and the same.
While I lived away, the steam engine was purchased from the park by a group and restored to working order. Now a thief has stolen the engine’s steam whistle and it will not roll again until a replacement can be found.
or at these independent New Orleans bookstores:
That’s horrible about the whistle. The LASTA group that restored the train to working order had a great little get together around the engine last year. It’s great for kids to take a peek into the boiler and see how hot it gets in there.
I think they take contributions to keep it rolling, too. After all, they don;t make ‘em like that anymore.
SP 745′s Whistle was stolen, but since the robbery LASTA has ask different people to donate a Steam Whistle for the Locomotive.
Looks like 745 will make it to Steam Fest this year.
I am not sure but i have been trying to get a hold of the John Price or Buce Brown on the event in October.