FtWRHS Puts Silver Diner Into Service

Silver Diner was in the consist of the Indiana Ice Cream Train shown leaving Angola, Indiana, on July 9.

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society said this week that it has officially placed its Silver Diner into service.

The car, which was built in 1948 for the California Zephyr, will be in the consists of excursions to be pulled by Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765.

The society has spent a year rebuilding the car. That work included extensive cleaning, HVAC repairs, cosmetic work, new window gaskets, and curtains, among other things.

The society said the car can host up to 40 passengers and includes a kitchen and buffet counter space, and provides on-board refrigeration and catering space for excursions and events.

The car was once owned by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and spent several years on the Amtrak rolling stock roster.

Amtrak retired Silver Diner in 2017 and donated it to the FtWRHS in 2019. It is one of four surviving California Zephyr dining cars still operating.

Tags: Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Railroad dining cars, Silver Diner