The Texas Traveler - Texas South Eastern Locomotive #13 in Diboll

If you have ever driven on Interstate 20 through Shreveport, Louisiana you may have noticed a building just north of the highway that looks very much like an old railroad station. I have literally driven past it over a dozen times and wondered just that. A week ago my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to go see if what I was I seeing was indeed what I thought it was. (Writing can be hard at times my friends.)

I was thrilled to find out that the building I spotted off the highway was indeed an old railroad station, the Shreveport Central Railroad Station to be precise, which just so happens to be the oldest surviving railroad station in the city.

From the historical marker:

Central Station - Built 1910 for Arkansas St Louis Southwestern Railroad. Only surviving passenger railroad terminal in city built prior WWI. Listed on National Register of Historic Places 1991.

I have to note that that marker and Wikipedia have conflicting information.  The marker states that the station was built in 1910 by the St. Louis Southwestern Western Railroad (know by railfans as the Cotton Belt which was part of the great Southern Pacific Railroad) yet Wiki states that it was constructed by the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad in 1910. That railroad ran from Hope, Arkansas to here in Alexandria, Louisiana. 

Note: My wife wants me to point out that Wikipedia is garbage and should never be quoted.

That's a bit of a mystery, but it's not the mystery that I wanted to talk about,. The other mystery surrounds the abandoned railroad equipment parked on the tracks behind Central Station. To be honest this old station is quite interesting, but the passenger car, industrial locomotive, and adjoining baggage car are way more fascinating to a railroad buff like me.

I spent some time this evening trying to find out some information about them, but all I could find was information about the old station and the gay nightclub that now occupies it.

Yes, this historical building isn't a museum (which it should be) or preserved in its original style for future generations to enjoy, instead it's been converted into a nightclub.

Epic fail Shreveport!

Anyway, the railroad equipment that was parked outside Central Station has become abandoned and now sits in total disrepair. I doubt that most Louisiana railfans or local residents outside of the patrons of this club even know that they even exist.

Check out these pics:

  

Check Out:

The Texas Traveler - Texas South Eastern Locomotive #13 in Diboll

Santa Fe Locomotive 2926 Makes Historic First Excursion

Photo Of The Day - The Rain Falls On Crowell & Spencer Lumber Company Locomotive #400 in Long Leaf Louisiana

Louisiana Through My Lens - A Canadian National Freight Train Along The Mississippi River

Louisiana Through My Lens - Thornhill & Bliss-Hoyer Houses in Shreveport

Abandoned Louisiana - A Warm Spring Day at Texas Avenue in Shreveport

California Through My Lens - An Antique Paradise in Oro Grande on Old Route 66

Louisiana Through My Lens - The Beatles Invade Cenla!

Spend An Afternoon Antique Shopping In South Central Louisiana

Louisiana Through My Lens - The Chicago Theatre in Downtown Shreveport

Louisiana Through My Lens - A Walk Through Shreveport Riverview Park

Louisiana Through My Lens - Impressions Of Downtown Shreveport