Tucked away in the lore of America’s industrial golden age lies a sleeping giant of elegance and history—the Loretto, a private railroad car commissioned by steel magnate Charles Schwab of Bethlehem Steel in 1917. Once the symbol of power and prestige, the Loretto is now poised for a glorious second act—but we need your help to bring it back to life.
An Icon Reborn
In January 2024, the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust became the proud new steward of this Pennsylvania treasure, acquiring the Loretto from the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, PA. The museum’s decision was grounded in confidence—confidence in our proven expertise restoring Gilded Age railcars and our passionate commitment to honoring the legacy of Pennsylvania’s steel dynasties.
“We are pleased that this important part of Pennsylvania heritage will get a new lease on life,” said Joe DeFrancesco, Executive Director of the Railroaders Memorial Museum. “The Colebrookdale has developed an expertise around cars from this period… Their commitment to reverse the fire damage the car suffered in the 1980s was a critical part of our decision.”
Once described as a “mansion on rails,” the Loretto was the second private car to bear the name for Charles Schwab and epitomized luxury in the age of industrial titans. Sadly, the car suffered arson-related fire damage in the 1980s, and while it remained housed at the museum, restoration efforts stalled. Now, the Loretto rests in Boyertown, ready for resurrection—but we cannot do it without you.
A Story of Steel and Power
The Loretto is more than a relic—it’s a rolling chapter of America’s industrial story. Built by Pullman in the same year as the Lynnewood, the private car of fellow steel titan Joseph Widener, the Loretto will now join its counterpart on the Colebrookdale Railroad, creating an unparalleled living exhibit of Pennsylvania’s two greatest steel dynasties.
“Together, the cars tell a fitting story for our railroad which connects the earliest ironmaking sites in Pennsylvania—sites from which those dynasties ultimately emerged,” says Nathaniel Guest, Executive Director of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust.
Why Now?
The Loretto’s restoration is urgent. After decades of neglect and damage, the car requires immediate interior and mechanical overhauls to return it to its original configuration. Our vision is to create an immersive heritage experience where guests can step aboard and travel back in time—to feel what it was like to ride in the opulence that once moved the titans of steel.
This is not just a restoration—it’s a resurrection.
“The Loretto, like the Lynnewood, is a landmark among railroad cars, and its destruction in the 1980s was truly an act of civic vandalism. I am proud to right that wrong,” Guest adds.
You Can Help Make History
We are launching an urgent capital campaign to fund the Loretto’s restoration. Thanks to generous supporters, we have already raised $400,000—but significant work lies ahead. With your support, we can preserve the past, create new economic opportunity, and ensure the Loretto rolls again for generations. Together, we can restore more than a railcar—we can restore a piece of our shared heritage.
Here are some photos of the Loretto being unloaded in Boyertown, PA!
Photos of the Loretto before it suffered fire damage.
Interior photos courtesy of the Railroaders Memorial Museum Website.
