I wonder how the two steam locomotives in New Orleans are faring in the aftermath of Katrina. This little critter is very close to the river and is likely underwater:And the 1744? Anybody know if any effort was made to get it out of New Orleans before the storm hit?

That also includes the LASTA group on Jefferson Hwy.Has anyone heard from them yet? They really have a nice looking OPERABLE 2-8-2 #745!Bruce Pierce

While I am a "true believer" when it comes to railway preservation, wherever it is to be found, these folks probably were more concerned with saving their lives and those of their families. I doubt steam locomotives were high on the "protect" list.The good news is that a steam locomotive could survived a flood fairly well, allowing that it's washed out after the waters recede.

Many of us not in the local area tend to wonder what can be done to help those in the devestated area Might be a good idea to put together a work party in a month or two and visit these locations and help stabilize the equipment in question. An organized group effort with coordination of the local volunteers. Just a thought. Certainly feel helpless here in Jersey. J.R.

Strasburg's #89 was in a flood that completely covered the locomotive when she was being shipped down from New England. I have heard other stories of locomotives being flooded and also steam being called back to rescue diesels in high water.

If the flooding in New Orleans continues, the streetcar line is likely going to suffer some damage also.Mike

I believe the switcher pictured is actually on top of the levee, so it is "safe". Minnesota's ten wheeler 328 was flooded a few times during its public park display period. Kentucky Railway Museum's River Road site was a frequent flood victim. I believe the real risk is to wooden coaches and anything with delicate paint work.Some of the original converted casino riverboats may get a reprieve in all of this. The "Admiral" and the original "President" have both been on the endangered list until now. They may get a quick recall from the scrap line. The "President" casino listed as beached in news reports is a barge carrying the name. The company named itself after the first casino President.

The St. Charles line has featured prominently in many aerials of the flooding, with the track apparently being just barely out of the water on either side of the grassy median.Some stray reports from New Orleans have cited some serious damage to the streetcar overhead lines from falling trees/debris; it would not surprise me to hear of more damage to the tracks.Considering that the latest report is that the city of N.O. plans to evacuate its Superdome dwellers to Houston's Astrodome, we must appreciate the gravity of the situation. Unfortunately, digging the mud away from 945, 1744, et al will have to take a VERY low priority compared to restoring the livelihoods of millions in the Gulf region.But, yes, confirmed updates of any sort would be welcomed.

As of an hour ago,745 was sitting on DRY land in the 20% of New Orleans that has not yet flooded. Time will tell if she remains dry. No word on the 1744,which I believe was close to the river.

The story behind that little switcher is quite interesting. It is actually sitting on a ramp leading up to a set of rusted out coal bins. The photo below shows them a little better.What is now Bisso Towboat Company used to be Bisso Coal. Back when steamships were still coal-fired, coal cars loaded with coal would be brought here to New Orleans Coal Co. from up north. Engine 76 would push them up this ramp to an iron-and-concrete coal hopper, where the coal car would be emptied. A conveyor would then carry the coal out of the hopper and up into the ship's bunker. When steamships switched to oil-firing and were themselves replaced by diesels, the operation became obsolete. At a later date, #76 may have been rolled up and down the ramp using steam or compressed air from an outside source; but it has not moved in a very long time.Also, the Audubon Zoo is right next to this location. I wonder how the animals are doing; and how many are just running around wild as I type this, or have been drowned or killed.Wouldn't that be something. I am also wondering what happened to the steamboats Natchez and Delta Queen. I hope they were both sent upstream before the storm hit. Am also wondering what happened to a slew of old industrial locations, old sugar mills, and some steam locomotives upstream. The more I think about it, the more the impact of this storm staggers my mind. I am speachless.-James Hefner Hebrews 10:20a Surviving World Steam Project

Delta Queen, American Queen, and Mississippi Queen and Natchez are all safely upstream. See extended postings at http://www.steamboats.orgWhile the Queens can be repositioned on overnight trips up river, the future of Natchez is a concern as it is an excursion boat based in New Orleans.Wesley

Nachez put in to Baton Rouge today for fuel and supplies. I'm not sure where the boat is going now, since the river south of BR is reportedly closed. There is some rumor floating around about excursion boats being used to help in the evacuations, but it's just that right now, a rumor.

Do any of you recall the photos in Trains of T&P and FW&D steam power being used to pull trains over flooded sections of track in the LA-east TX regions? This was apparently pretty common, and I wonder if any contemporary railroads in the N.O area might want to use 745 for that same purpose....A diesel can traverse flooded track, water over the rail no more than 1-2 inches (and only at 2-3 mph), before the traction motor frames short to ground in the water. I've seen shots of steam locos moving at 10 mph in water up to the bottom of the firebox.

who knows through all this we might see the return to steam power frieghts on a every day bases. One can dream. My prayers goses out to all down there.Len.

Recieved the following update on another list:-James Hefner Hebrews 10:20a Surviving World Steam Project