Southern Pacific No. 745 is a restored MK-5 class 2-8-2 "Mikado" (or "MacArthur") type steam locomotive built in 1921 by the T&NO's Algiers Shops on the outskirts of New Orleans, and the only surviving locomotive to have been built there. It was designed to haul freight trains. After retirement in 1956, it was donated to the city of New Orleans and moved to Audubon Park, where it was displayed. The locomotive was purchased by the Louisiana Steam Train Association of Lafayette, LA, and restored to working order in 2004. Today, it is still owned by the society and continues to haul excursion trains and photo charters for the benefit of the public.
745 is one of four surviving MK-5 class engines (five until the 1970s, if you count the now lamentably scrapped 743), one of only two that have worked in preservation, and apart from being the sole surviving Algiers-built locomotive, it is also the sole operating MK-5.
Trivia[]
- The 745 was used in the movie Jonah Hex (film), dolled up with a fake 19th century smokestack and headlamp.
- SP 745 has also been used in several other films, including two major motion picture, the Brad Pitt / Cate Blanchett movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, for which it was painted to look like a Southern Railway locomotive.
- The whistle sound was used for Yong Bao from "Thomas & Friends" which was the SP "Desert" Screamer 5-chime whistle.
- No. 745 Wored two whistles. One is a Standard Southern Pacific 6-chime whistle and a Southern Pacific "Desert" Screamer 5-chime whistle due to the fact being so loud.
Gallery[]
