A friend in New Orleans shot these photos today outside of his office near New Orleans. He said it is in town for an event in Audubon Park as a substitute locomotive for a SP Mikado that was on display in the park since we were kids in the 1950s. The Mikado was removed and restored years ago and was supposed to be on hand today but is broken down in TX from what I can understand from what my friend said.
'N'Awlins', are you still on the Forum? Can you give us an update?
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Those are the UP E units part of the Up 150th aniversary trip. They are subbing for UP 844, that is in fact undergoing repairs in TX, but it is not SP Park Loco. 844, the 949, the other E's, the whole 150 trip has been discussed at length on here recently. you will Find many threads on it.
Southern Pacific 745, a 2-8-2 was once on display in Audubon Park. It was restored some years ago but has not been out for a while...I remember some sort of significant (?) issue occuring with the locomotive and has not operated for a few years...that will need a verification however! It is owned by the Louisiana Steam Train Association.
I do know that Audubon Park does operate a Chance CP Huntington, similar to what we run on our scenic excursion trip (we do NOT run it as an "amusement ride") through a local 500+ acre regional stream valley park. Our locomotive is a 1995 model, which replaced our original mid-1960s locomotive and our 5 passenger cars are the originals from 1966. Audubon's engine, #273, is only a few years older than our #281. Chance numbers their locomotives as the build number. For example, our #281 is the 281st CP Huntington built while the neighbors somewhat new 2008 model, #357, is the 357th built.
Below is a photo of our #281, taken last fall by yours truly on the return trip from an inspection trip/deadhead/test run movement. This curve is the only spot on the line in which the tree canopy lets in some decent sunlight!
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