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Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum (Unofficial Site)
The "Loretto II" Restoration Project
Table of Contents
This page was updated on 13 September, 2008 !
Spring 2002 Update
Original Museum Renovations & Loretto Conservation - The original Museum building has undergone numerous renovations over the Winter months. Thanks to the efforts of Senator Jubelirer, we were able to secure funding to begin making improvements on the building. J&B Building Company constructed an interior wall to create a separate collections storage area. After this work was completed, our maintenance staff began constructing a new Loretto conservation work room to replace the room that had been used inside the back door entrance. The earlier room was inadequate to continue the work. This new room is expected to be completed by mid-March. We have requested an updated estimate on the completion of the Loretto Restoration Project from the Albert Michael’s Gallery. This new estimate will enable us to begin looking for new funding to help us complete this important work. It is our intention to continue working on improving the remaining space for rotating exhibits and for the renovation of Memorial Hall. (Spring issue of "The Standard", Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum)
18 Feb 2002 Update
On 18 Feb 2002 Cummins McNitt wrote "....We recently met with the new owner of Albert Michaels Conservation, David Tull. We are constructing a new conservation room into the new area of the original museum building. We have requested a new estimate to use in writing for grants for the continued work on the Loretto. To date we are about 55% of the way through the restoration process. The QRH project is even more important in the light of the long term needs of the Loretto."
Loretto Restoration Update
"John Rita is heading the restoration project, he works with Albert Michaels Conservation, Inc.. In 1986, the museum hired John Rita and his firm to work on the car. Because of financial constraints, there is no work currently being done on the Loretto. As of this time there is no timetable for completion of the interior or exterior of the car. We do intend to do a full restoration of both the interior and exterior. So far we have spent 250,000 on the Loretto's restoration, as you have seen the back half of the car has been restored to its original state. The entire substructure of the car has been stabilized, the next step will be a detailed restoration of the dining room, kitchen, servants section and the remaining front half of the car; as well as the exterior. We hope to shed the Loretto in a bay of our quarter round-house, but a completion date for that area is unknown and will depend greatly on funding. We estimate that another $250,000 will be needed to do a full Class One restoration of the car. If anyone would like to make a contribution to the project, they can send a check to the Museum, in care of the Loretto Fund." 16 Apr 2001
Thank you to the Altoona Mirror for allowing the use of their news articles and photographs.
The Loretto is owned by the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum.
NRHS and its
logo are trademarks of the National Railway Historical Society
Railfest is a
trademark of Railroaders Memorial Museum, Inc.
The logos for the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum is a trademark of the Railroaders Memorial Museum, Inc.
Photographs
are by Chris Behe unless otherwise noted.
