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Altoona Railway Museum Club: Loretto Railcar Restoration

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The Loretto 2 - Fire Damage

 

Loretto Home Pre-fire Photographs The Post Fire Restoration Effort

 

ASSESS-LEADED-GLASS-WINDOW.jpg (28978 bytes) Staff of Albert Michael's Gallery, Altoona (conservators) assess damage to leaded glass window from fire-damaged LORETTO.  Photo by David Seidel BLISTERED-PAINT-PANTRY.jpg (38715 bytes) Detail of blistered paint from intense heat in pantry area of LORETTO. Photo by David Seidel
CEILING-BERTH-ARCH-10-83.jpg (42127 bytes) Detail of charred Mahogany panels and trim in center lounge area of Loretto II. The doorway separated the lounge area from a berth section which was the central origin location of the fire from a candle on the berth seat cushions.  Photo by David Seidel CEILING-CTR-LOUNGE-10-83.jpg (31618 bytes) Detail of charring to ceiling area of center lounge in Loretto II from the October 1983 fire, caused by teenage runaways who ignited upholstery from a candle on seat cushions.  Photo by David Seidel
CTR-BERTH-FIRE-ORIGIN-10-83.jpg (33596 bytes) Detail of the fire-damaged luxurious guest berth area adjacent to center lounge of Loretto II, origin location of a fire started by teenage runaways who broke into the car. A lighted candle on seat cushions has been accepted as the fire cause.  Photo by David Seidel CTR-BERTH-LNG-10-83.jpg (31120 bytes) View of center of car Lounge from guest berths area of Loretto II following a devastating October 1983 fire. These two areas received the most intense damage in the car. Berth area is origin site caused by illuminated candle on upholstery by teenage runaways.  Photo by David Seidel
CTR-BERTH-LOUNGE.jpg (41626 bytes) Detail of center berth area and lounge room of Loretto II .  Photo by David Seidel Detail of center car guest berth adjacent to marble walled bath, after the fire of October 9, 1983. This area was central starting point of fire.  Photo by David Seidel
CTR-LNGLOR-10-83.jpg (40836 bytes) Loretto II following fire damage October 1983. View of dining table and lounge in center of car.  Photo by David Seidel CTR-LNG-MAHOGANY-CABINET-postfire.jpg (35729 bytes) Loretto II following fire damage October 1983. View of dining table and lounge in center of car.  Photo by David Seidel
DAMAGE-CENTER-BERTH-AREA.jpg (45662 bytes) Detail of fire damage to mahogany wood embellishments in Loretto II's guest berth area. October, 1983.  Photo by David Seidel EXIT-TO-CORRID-FROM-CTR-LNG.jpg (30856 bytes) Detail of charred mahogany woodwork with inlaid marquetry to doorway leading from center lounge to hallway toward bedrooms and parlor areas. Intense heat damaged and buckled walls that were not in direct contact with flame.  Photo by David Seidel
EXT-LOR-postFIRE-10-83.jpg (26264 bytes) Exterior view of Loretto II following devastating fire of October 9, 1983 on the grounds of Altoona Railroader's Memorial Museum, just 3 years after the museum opening.  Photo by David Seidel SMOKE-HEAT-DAMAGE-IN-PARLOR.jpg (74028 bytes) Detail photograph of heat and smoke damage in parlor of LORETTO II.  Photo by David Seidel.
SOFA-Ctr-LNG-postFIRE-10-83.jpg (31042 bytes) Detail of sofa in center lounge room of Loretto II following fire of Ocober 9, 1983. Note the charring to mahogany paneling and cabinetry above the headrest, characteristic of intense heat along the ceiling area.  Photo by David Seidel. WALL-Ctr-LNG-postFIRE-10-83.jpg (34115 bytes) Wall detail in center lounge room of Loretto II following fire damage of October 9, 1983.  Photo by David Seidel.
Johnstown Tribune Democrat Article.  10-9-83.  David Seidel Collection. F-LOR-FIRE-PGH-PRESS-10.jpg (88228 bytes) "Vandals Damage Antique RR Car" 

Pittsburgh Press Article.  10-9-83.  David Seidel Collection.

 

Thank you to the Altoona Mirror for allowing the use of their news articles and photographs.

F-LOR-Am-opin-10-13-83.jpg (60017 bytes) "Opinion..."

Altoona Mirror article on LORETTO, 10-13-83.  David Seidel Collection

 F-LOR-FIRE-AM-10-10-83-C.jpg (97303 bytes) "It Could be a Coup:..."

Altoona Mirror article on LORETTO, 10-10-83. David Seidel Collection.
F-LOR-FIRE-AM-10-10-83-A.jpg (138154 bytes) F-LOR-FIRE-AM-10-10-83-B.jpg (118273 bytes) "Stately Loretto Becomes Rubble"

 

 Altoona Mirror article on LORETTO, 10-13-83.

David Seidel Collection
F-AM-12-7-83--A.jpg (48085 bytes) "Fire Damaged Loretto Needs Restored"

Altoona Mirror article on LORETTO, 12-7-83. Part 1 of 4.  David Seidel Collection.

 F-ALT-MIRROR-12-7-83--B.jpg (67072 bytes) Altoona Mirror article of 12-7-83, part 2 of 4.  David Seidel Collection.
F-ALT-MIRROR-12-7-83--E.jpg (30768 bytes) Altoona Mirror coverage 12-7-83 part 3 of 4      
F-AM-12-23-83--A.jpg (36001 bytes) F-AM-12-23-83-B.jpg (70606 bytes) "Restoration of Stately Railroad Car Not Impossible..."   Altoona Mirror article of 12-7-83 part 4 of 4

David Seidel Collection.
LOR-FIRE-Am-10-15-83.jpg (51877 bytes) "Suspect Bragged about Torching Loretto..."

Altoona Mirror article on LORETTO, 12-15-83.  David Seidel Collection

   teens_arrested.jpg (54690 bytes) "Teens Arrested in Loretto Case" 

Altoona Mirror coverage 12-31-83.  David Seidel Collection.  
LOR-FIRE-Am-12-31-83.jpg (33495 bytes) "13 Year old Placed For Treatment"

Altoona Mirror coverage 12-31-83.  David Seidel Collection.

      

 

 

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Photographs are by Chris Behe unless otherwise noted.