Texas and New Orleans 745, Steam locomotive in Jefferson, Louisiana
Texas and New Orleans 745 is a Mikado-type steam locomotive with a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement stationed in Jefferson. The machine features a steam boiler operating at 200 PSI and generates approximately 51,076 pounds of tractive force.
The locomotive was built in 1921 at Southern Pacific Railroad's Algiers Shops using spare parts in the years after World War I. It transported freight and soldiers across Louisiana and Texas until 1956.
The Louisiana Steam Train Association maintains this locomotive, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as one of twelve operational Mikado locomotives in the United States.
The locomotive sits under a small protective shed built on its Vanderbilt-type tender car. This shelter was required by Texas railroad regulations to shield the head-end brakeman during operations.
After a boiler explosion at Paisano Pass, this locomotive underwent complete reconstruction and returned to service. The incident demonstrates how sturdy these machines were and why repairing them remained worthwhile for railroad operations.
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