Just in from The Louisiana Steam Train Association Newsletter:

The Louisiana Steam Train Association
727 Washington Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130

October 8, 2003

Dear Members and Friends of LASTA,

With great sadness, I must announce that due to cost overruns associated
with the restoration of SP #745's boiler and firebox, the engine will
not be ready for our proposed statewide tour beginning in November,
2003. The performance bond people and Jefferson Parish are working with
Gregg Dodd to complete the engine.

Though disappointed, we are encouraged by the show of support from all
involved. The Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
wants the tour to happen, as does each of the towns having proposed
stops. Our donors continue to support us!
All the class I railroads have expressed support for a later trip
keeping the terms agreed to in our August 5th meeting in New Orleans.
Our volunteers have all remained committed to seeing this project
through. We are very appreciative of everyone's understanding of how
important this is for our state!

We are going to make the best of it and not give up! After
brainstorming, we decided to rename our project "The Louisiana Purchase
& Louis and Clark Bicentennial Train." Our current plans are to have
our exhibit coaches present for the reenactment ceremonies in the French
Quarter on December 20th, 2003. Some time in the spring of 2004, our
engine SP #745 will be ready to pull the exhibit train around the state.
We are also looking into the suggestion of being an "ambassador train"
from Louisiana and travel through the mid west to Kansas, and maybe even
to Missouri for the Louis and Clark bicentennial celebration.

Those of you that have followed our journey of restoring this wonderful
piece of history will remember the many setbacks we have experienced and
have overcome. Visit the Archives of our newsletter at:
http://www.lasta.org for short review of those challenging times. We
will again rise to the occasion and maybe even make lemonade out of
lemons! Again... your support on all fronts (physical, financial,
emotional and spiritual) is much needed to sustain our efforts and sanity!

The next newsletter and our website will keep you current. Thanks so much!

Sincerely,
Bruce A. Brown
Board President

Submitted by:
Skip Waters
Dallas, Texas
LASTA Member

http://www.lasta.org
wgcrush@swbell.net