Louisiana Steam Train Association

05/29/2026

Need service hours or in need to find something meaningful to do during the summer break?

The Louisiana Steam Train Association is growing, relocating to our future home in Garyville, and looking for a new crew of volunteers to help preserve Louisiana railroad history. This is your chance to get involved with the restoration, movement, and operation of historic railroad equipment — including Southern Pacific #745, a legendary steam locomotive featured in films and deeply rooted in Louisiana history.

Volunteers can gain hands-on experience in industrial restoration, mechanical work, public outreach, facilities, and railroad operations.

You’ll build valuable skills in industrial restoration and public relations that can help your college applications, resumes, and future job opportunities. Dedicated volunteers may also gain practical operating experience in railroad roles such as conductor, engineer, and other train crew positions while working alongside an experienced team.

No Experience? No Problem! We’ll teach you the basics of working safely with tools and historic railroad equipment. Whether you’re interested in learning new skills, meeting great people, or helping keep steam railroading alive, we’d love to have you on the team.

Don't just sit around this summer. Take a step toward joining our crew. Visit lasta.org/volunteer for more information and to sign up!

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

05/25/2026

Today, we remember all who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country’s freedom. We honor the legacy of those who served, ensuring their stories are never lost. Southern Pacific 745, which played a vital role in transporting troops across the region during World War II, will continue to steam forward—keeping history alive and honoring those we will never forget.

05/21/2026

After periods of rain, track work finally continues at LASTA. Volunteers spent the weekend clearing the work area of mud and debris to prepare for the insertion of ties.

On Sunday, volunteers returned to insert, gauge, and spike ties. All that's left is the arrival of a load of ballast and our storage tracks are back in service.

We would like to thank our dedicated volunteers for tackling this back-breaking project in such a short amount of time!

LASTA is always accepting new members who are anxious to get their hands onto historical pieces of equipment and help keep the mission alive. If you are interested in joining our team or supporting our mission, visit LASTA.org for more information and opportunities to help!

05/09/2026

Did you know that Southern Pacific 745 and other equipment from LASTA’s yard were featured in a few film productions?

For a Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), 745 was relabeled as a fictional Southern Railroad steam locomotive #682. In Jonah Hex (2010), the locomotive was used in a dramatic train robbery sequence, of which 745 was remodeled as a fictional, western-era type steam locomotive. LASTA equipment was also featured in Wendy (2020), a modern reimagining of Peter Pan. In our most recent appearance, #745, along with several of our passenger coaches, were digitally recreated for the supernatural horror film Sinners (2025).

We are honored that our historic equipment has helped bring these productions to life and look forward to future opportunities to further promote Louisiana railroad history through such collaborations.

To help 745 continue to have the chance to be a movie star and be a star of Louisiana, please consider showing your support by purchasing a “ReBuild 745” shirt, where all proceeds go towards the rebuilding of the locomotive. This campaign ends on May 18th, so act fast before this offer departs.

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/rebuild-sp-745

https://lasta.org/sp-745/rebuild/ The pride and joy of the Louisiana Steam Train Association, Southern Pacific 745, needs to be rebuilt so that the locomotive can resume operations and help inspire the next generation of rail enthusiasts. Your purchase of this shirt will go directly towards the rebu...

05/07/2026

Work continues for LASTA, as we had a full weekend of track work. Volunteers came together to fix a 15-foot section of track with several bad ties. Once this area is fully repaired, equipment will be able to be switched out and moved around our yard once again.

LASTA is always accepting new members who are anxious to get their hands onto historical pieces of equipment and help keep the mission alive. If you are interested in joining our team or supporting our mission, visit LASTA.org for more information and opportunities to help!

05/04/2026

Our shirt is now available for pre-order!

Please visit https://www.customink.com/fundraising/rebuild-sp-745 to place your pre-order!

Both child and adult sizes are available.

Please keep in mind that the shirts will typically be delivered approximately 12 business days after the fundraising page closes. This campaign will end on May 18th, so delivery of shirts are to be expected by the end of May/early June.

Act fast! Once this campaign ends, so does the chance to own this commemorative shirt to help 745 get back on the rails!

https://lasta.org/sp-745/rebuild/ The pride and joy of the Louisiana Steam Train Association, Southern Pacific 745, needs to be rebuilt so that the locomotive can resume operations and help inspire the next generation of rail enthusiasts. Your purchase of this shirt will go directly towards the rebu...

05/03/2026

Tomorrow morning (5/4/2026) at 7:00 AM CST, we will be offering the opportunity to pre-order our newly designed "ReBuild 745" t-shirts! Each shirt purchase will go directly towards the efforts of the rebuild of Southern Pacific 745.

Both child and adult sizes will be available.

Please keep in mind that the shirts will typically be delivered approximately 12 business days after the fundraising page closes. This campaign will end on May 18th, so delivery of shirts are to be expected by the end of May/early June.

Act fast! Once this campaign ends, so does the chance to own this commemorative shirt to help 745 get back on the rails!

Stay tuned for the pre-order link tomorrow morning!

04/29/2026

Another major milestone was reached last weekend during our last work session! Volunteers have successfully started the Deutz diesel generator underneath the Hankins Tool Car, which will allow for power generation wherever 745 and the consist may go. Volunteers started the day by charging batteries in the Hankins Car. They then installed the roll-out rails on the side of the Hankins that would allow the generator to be rolled out from under the car body. Oil levels and fuel filters on the generator were inspected and were deemed to be in excellent condition. The batteries were then connected and the generator started and ran like a charm!

LASTA is always accepting new members who are anxious to get their hands onto historical pieces of equipment and help keep the mission alive. If you are interested in joining our team or showing your support with a donation, visit LASTA.org/volunteer for more information.

Loud video warning - Those with sensitive ears, reduce volume before viewing video.

04/28/2026

LASTA will be in Baton Rouge this weekend! Come visit us at the Baton Rouge Main Library (7711 Goodwood Blvd) to learn more about the progress at the Garyville Timbermill Museum site and the rebuild of Southern Pacific #745.

We’ll be sharing the latest on our relocation efforts and development in Garyville—including plans for new track construction, our future engine house, and how we will bring back Garyville Northern Railroad for future public excursions.

Our team will be on hand to answer questions and talk about how you can get involved. We’re actively looking for new volunteers to support every aspect of the organization—operations, mechanical, facilities, administration and many other areas.

Whether you have railroad experience or just a passion for history, there’s a place for you on the crew.

Stop by, say hello and be part of preserving and rebuilding Louisiana’s railroad heritage.

04/25/2026

More exciting things are happening at LASTA’s Yard! Last Saturday was spent moving items around our north yard with some motorized help. The Duff Norton 50-ton jacks are no lightweight and the machine came in handy when it was time to load them into our boxcars. Work also continued on our 1953 EMD SW8 locomotive #748 this weekend, with the installation of a new cooling system valve. LASTA Volunteers aren't afraid of a little grease, and the path to preservation is paved in oil. Stay tuned for more updates!