My Jan. 24 story about the ongoing demolition of Andrew Carnegie's former Pittsburgh Locomotive Works buildings drew nearly two dozen e-mails and phone calls from readers troubled by it.

"While I was vaguely familiar with the buildings, I had no idea that they constituted the famed Pittsburgh Locomotive Works," wrote former Heinz family archivist Frank Kurtik of Uniontown. "Besides the important heritage these buildings represent, once again, what a great loss in terms of good, substantial architecture."

Most writers were unaware, as Mr. Kurtik and I had been, that these red brick 19th-century buildings in the Chateau District between Manchester and the Ohio River had such a significant pedigree. Almost 3,000 steam locomotives were made there from 1867 to 1919.

"I wasn't even aware of these buildings, even though I pass them daily on my commute home from work on Route 65. I will now know to look for them, while they are still standing," writes Jonathon Denson of McKees Rocks.

"I wonder if there is a possibility of nominating the more significant structures, such as maybe the office building, for historic status? Maybe that way it could be saved? As a fairly new Pittsburgh resident, I hate to see the history of Pittsburgh destroyed so soon after I have discovered it, in this case merely days."

Duquesne Light, which has owned the buildings since at least 1925, is demolishing them. Unfortunately, according to Pittsburgh's historic preservation ordinance, once a demolition permit has been obtained by the owner, a building cannot be nominated for historic status.

A couple of writers who didn't want to be quoted questioned the utility's claim that the buildings are in disrepair, saying they had been well-maintained for decades. The loss of the round-tower office building especially bothered some of those who responded.

"I regularly drive by that area and always admired the office building," wrote Susan H. of Brighton Heights [last name withheld on request].

"It sickens me when yet another Pittsburgh artifact is thrown to the dumpster without regard for its historical or architectural significance. I watched the Davis Avenue Bridge and the old St. John's Hospital (in the Brighton Heights area) fall to the ground to be replaced by an overgrown vacant lot and a concrete barrier wall. These are the things that make Pittsburgh Pittsburgh -- America's Most Livable City -- full of charm and beauty.

"What can be done to stop the continued destruction of Pittsburgh's history?"

Good question. Some Pittsburgh buildings are protected by city historic designation -- 85 individual buildings and hundreds more within 12 historic districts and one historic site, Allegheny Commons Park. Yet among the 85, there's only one with industrial roots: the former Mackintosh-Hemphill Co. on the South Side, built as the Garrison Foundry.

Not every old factory deserves protection, but some obviously do, such as Pittsburgh Brewing Co., now going through the nomination process for historic designation.

Industrial buildings, including many in the Strip District, were part of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation's 1979-1984 survey of Allegheny County buildings. Survey records are archived at its library and at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

But there is little awareness of these buildings because the results were never compiled into a book, as was done by Dan Holland with the county's African-American historic sites. It would be a worthy project for a grad student or an interested group.

A couple of writers wanted to tell me about other Pittsburgh-made steam engines still in operation out West. By the time they were built in the first decade of the 20th- century, the factory had become part of the American Locomotive Co.

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum, which preserves and interprets the historic railway's facilities, yards and rail collection, operates one of them -- Engine No. 93, made for the Nevada Northern Railway in 1909.

"This short line is probably one of the best preserved museum railroads in the country," writes Robert Kumpfmiller of Lawrenceville. "One of the most interesting aspects about this museum is that you can rent the 93 for a hands-on experience."

Or just take the regular excursion ride between East Ely and Keystone or Adverse. See www.NNRY.com for details and to watch a video about 'The Return of Engine 93" following its recent restoration, meant to prepare it for its second century of operation.

In 2004, the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Ariz., spent more than $1 million to restore Locomotive No. 29, made here in 1906. It was built for the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad, writes Michael C. Thompson of New Brighton, and now operates daily excursions from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

It's good to know Pittsburgh's great locomotive legacy is cherished somewhere.

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