Locomotive ‘Sabine’ headed off to war as scrap drives swept up nation’s strategic materials

In difficult times, Americans have always banded together to face a common challenge. In partnership with the National WWII Museum, this Living series spotlights homefront scenes from World War II. 

The Morgans Louisiana & Texas Railroad Co. came to Lafayette in 1880. The “Sabine” was the first locomotive to arrive on the freshly laid tracks from New Orleans.

The engine remained in regular service until it was deactivated by then-owner Southern Pacific in 1923, and donated to Lafayette as a monument to early railroad workers. Sabine remained on display at the original train depot until 1941 when it was dismantled and donated to a scrap drive in support of World War II.

The fate of the Sabine was common for many historic objects that were swept up in scrap drives during World War II. These drives pushed citizens to turn in strategic materials such as rubber, metal, tin cans and paper for recycling.

The scrap drives produced huge results, as city dwellers, farmers, and children scoured the country for unused objects. The great effort to save the world for democracy did have a negative effect however, as historic objects, cultural items and even statues were melted and sent off to war. Long term historic preservation was sacrificed, in the pursuit of victory.