Southern Pacific 745 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southern Pacific (T&NO) 745 |
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| SP 745 receiving visitors at "The Butterfly", Audubon Park, New Orleans, 2007 | |
| Power type | Steam |
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| Builder | Algiers Shops of Southern Pacific Company |
| Build date | 1921 |
| Configuration | 2-8-2 |
| UIC classification | 1′D1′ h2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Leading wheel diameter | 33 in (838 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 63 in (1,600 mm) |
| Trailing wheel diameter | 42 in (1,067 mm) |
| Length | 84 feet (including tender) |
| Axle load | 54,200 lb (24.6 t) |
| Weight on drivers | 213,380 lb (96.8 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 285,980 lb (129.7 t) |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 442,080 lb (200.5 t) |
| Fuel type | Fuel oil |
| Fuel capacity | 3,800 US gal (14,000 L; 3,200 imp gal) |
| Water capacity | 10,000 US gal (38,000 L; 8,300 imp gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 200 psi (1.38 MPa) |
| Fire grate area | 70.4 sq ft (6.54 m2) |
| Heating surface: Total | 3,974 sq ft (369.2 m2) |
| Superheater area | 865 sq ft (80.4 m2) |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Cylinder size | 26 in × 28 in (660 mm × 711 mm) |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts |
| Tractive effort | 51,076 lbf (227.20 kN) |
| Factor of adhesion | 4.18 |
| Retired | 1956 |
| Restored | 2004 |
| Current owner | Louisiana Steam Train Association |
| Disposition | Undergoing FRA 15 year inspection/overhaul |
Southern Pacific 745 is a special type of steam locomotive called a Mikado. It was built in 1921 by the Southern Pacific Railroad at their Algiers Shops in New Orleans. This powerful train has a 2-8-2 wheel setup, meaning it has two small wheels at the front, eight large driving wheels in the middle, and two small wheels at the back. It was designed to pull heavy freight trains.
After being restored, Locomotive 745 started running again in 2004. Today, it lives on a short train track in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. It's currently the only steam locomotive in Louisiana that can still operate on main railroad lines!
Why SP 745 is a Special Train
SP 745 is considered a very important steam locomotive. It's even listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a historic treasure!
The Mikado Type: A Classic Freight Train
- The Mikado-type locomotive is famous as the classic American freight train from the time when steam engines ruled the tracks. This was before diesel-electric trains became popular.
- About one out of every five trains on North American railroads was a Mikado. They were super common and reliable for moving goods.
A Rare Survivor
- Even though over 10,000 Mikado trains were built for use in America, very few are still working today.
- According to SteamLocomotive.com, only about 12 of these large Mikado trains can still run on regular railroad tracks. This makes SP 745 quite rare!
The "Harriman Standard" Design
- SP 745 is a "Harriman Standard Mikado." A powerful railroad owner named E. H. Harriman wanted all his railroads to use similar train designs.
- This meant new trains like SP 745 were built with the best features known at the time. The Harriman standard Mikados were the first big effort to make freight trains more uniform.
A Train That Was Rebuilt
- In 1921, SP 745 had an accident in Texas. After the accident, the train was rebuilt and put back into service. It shows how strong and important these locomotives were.
The Last Louisiana-Built Steam Train
- SP 745 is the very last steam locomotive still around that was built in Louisiana.
- It was one of a small group of steam trains that Southern Pacific built mostly from spare parts after World War I. Most of these were made at the Algiers shops in New Orleans.
SP 745's Working Life
The Algiers Shops usually fixed trains, but during World War I, they started building a few new ones. This included the Southern Pacific Class MK5 Mikado trains, numbered 739 to 750. Out of these twelve, SP 745 is the only one known to have survived.
Pulling Freight and Troops
- From 1921 to 1956, SP 745 mostly pulled freight trains across Louisiana and Texas. It was a bit slow for passenger trains, but perfect for heavy cargo.
- During World War II, it also helped by transporting soldiers.
- Even though it always said "Southern Pacific" on its side, it often worked for smaller railroad companies that Southern Pacific owned. This was because of laws in Texas.
Retirement to the Park
- In 1956, SP 745 made its last trip on its own steam. It was then retired and put on display at Audubon Park in New Orleans. It stayed there for many years, becoming a local landmark.
What SP 745 is Doing Now
After its retirement in 1956, SP 745 was given to Audubon Park in New Orleans. It stayed there until 1984, when it was moved to make space for the Audubon Zoo to grow.
Restoration and Return to the Tracks
- Ownership of the train changed a few times. Now, the Louisiana Steam Train Association (LASTA) takes care of it.
- In 2001, LASTA gathered enough donations and grants to start a big project to restore the train. Volunteers and experts worked for several years to bring it back to life.
- In December 2004, SP 745 ran on a main railroad line for the first time in 48 years! It traveled to Reserve, Louisiana, and back.
- Since then, SP 745 has visited many places in Louisiana, southwest Mississippi, and even Kansas City, Missouri. Every year during Gretna Fest, it gets to be close to where it was born.
A Movie Star Train
- SP 745 has even been in movies! It appeared in two major films:
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. For this movie, it was painted to look like a different type of train.
- Jonah Hex, where it was made to look like a much older train.
