in Detroit, and remembers taking the train to Chicago as a child. “But I’ve been a restaurateur for the past 38 years.” And one who has an obvious affection for operating a dining car. Less than two miles from Chicago’s Union
Station and less than three miles from Grant Park, this gem may be one of the best- kept secrets in railfandom. I’ve asked many of them, including a goodly number who live in or visit Chicago regularly, and most have never heard of the place. Here’s hoping you hop a cab and become an ambassador for a memorable dining experience (and yes, I’m pleased and gratified to see myself and Dining by Rail as the first entry on David’s “thank you” list on the first page of his menu). For the record, The Silver Palm (http://
thesilverpalmrestaurant.com/) is located at 768 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (the kitchen closes at 11:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and at midnight Friday and Saturday), and Sunday 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. Call 312/666-9322 for reserva- tions. Prices range from $4.50 to $12.95 for appetizers, $14.95 to $22.95 for entrees, $7.95 to $14,95 for sandwiches (the Three Little Piggy sandwich is $13.95), and $6.50 for dessert. The car seats 48 and can accom- modate as many as 90 people for private parties, a feature groups ranging from the 20th Century Railroad Club to Kodak have taken advantage of. Bleeding Blue: A china pattern by this
name was produced in the late 1920s for use exclusively on the business cars of the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, featuring white china decorated with blue pinstripes and a stylized “Santa Fe” in script (see pho- to, page 9). The Arizona Railway Museum, in Chandler, Ariz., has one of those business cars, a 52-foot heavyweight, No. 405, built in 1927 by Pullman, one of 18 cars in the order. The museum wanted to include the pattern in the car’s dining room display, and so thought to commission replica china for that purpose, with surplus sets going on sale as a fund-raiser. On discovering that the Great Overland Station, a railroad museum and education center in Topeka, Kansas, had ac- quired the rights to the pattern, a joint effort was undertaken, with each party getting half the order. The pattern was executed by Rich Luckin’s China Concepts in Golden, Colo. And while the Arizona Railway Muse- um has already sold out of its half of the or- der, 7-piece place settings remain available from the Great Overland Station for $175 per set. Go to
http://tinyurl.com/7ueym5y or call 785/220-0733 to place an order. Follow-up: The Whistle Post Tavern (see September’s column) reportedly got its name from the fact that at the original bar, every time a train whistle blew it meant a drink on the house. As train traffic grew, the owner stopped this practice. An Anonymous Reader Writes: “About
those railroad-themed drinking establish- ments, here’s another: the Sidetrack Bar and Grill at 56 East Cross Street, alongside the Amtrak crossing in Ypsilanti, Mich.” Owner Linda French notes that Norfolk Southern trains pass too, a total of ten or 12 trains a day. When asked about the cuisine, Linda also notes with pride that, “We offer outstanding bar food. GQ Magazine named ours one of the ‘Top 20 burgers to eat before you die.’” For more information go to
http://www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com/ or call 734/483-1490.
Yard Goat Images
Celebrating Historic Rail Preservation DVDs with less talk…more steam!
Two New Books just in time for Christmas from Four Ways West Publications
CENTRAL ILLINOIS RAILS by R.R.“DICK” WALLIN and J.DAVID INGLES
Color Pictorial, 1950s-1970s Featuring more than 25 Railroads, including . . . x m 3-Volume DVD set:
Steamin’ Summer
• Rock Island Train Festival
Features:
• QJ & NKP 765 ferry moves • Little River RR 110 Birthday • Silver Creek & Stephenson RR • And More!!!
Rock Island Train Festival 765 Travels Home
The QJs Return to Newton, Iowa Steam at Monticello
by Yard Goat Images
This 192-page volume by noted rail photographer, Jim Shaw, features an in depth look at the shortlines in Washington and Oregon between the 1960s and 2008. More than 75 lines are presented by area; WA-West of the Cascades, WA-Central and Eastern, Oregon’s West Coast, plus Oregon Central and Eastern. More than 350 photos, a brief history and much more. A great Shortline presentation!
= Available Now =
A wide region of Central Illinois is presented by the co-authors, R. R. “Dick” Wallin and J. David Ingles. This 144-page, all-color book boasts more than 350 pho- tos on 21 roads, plus chap- ters on Passenger Specials, Springfield Towers, Campaign Trains, and Detouring Trains. Arail map designating the area covered is featured. There are first-generation diesels - 55 models from four builders, and everyday steam on four roads, plus electric operations on the Illinois Terminal. It’s all here!
SHORTLINES OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
= WASHINGTON AND OREGON =
Jim Shaw
1st DVD $24.95, 2nd DVD on same order $19.95, or all 3 for $59.95! (plus shipping)
www.yardgoatimages.com Or call 612-623-0167
Send SASE for free brochure/order form 112 3rd AV NE, Minneapolis MN 55413
Take advantage of either of these two new hardbound books featuring railroad photography and history at its very best. To receive your copy just send your order to the address below or call the number below. Each title is $59.95 and if ordered direct we take care of the shipping (U.S. only). Foreign shipping/handling, $21.00; Canada $12.00; California res. add $5.25 sales tax. Don’t miss all the action!
14618 Valley View Ave - La Mirada, CA 90638-4351
Visa or MasterCard orders = Fax orders to: 714-521-5664 Phone orders to: 714-521-4259 (8 - 6 Pacific Time) email orders to:
fourwayswest@ca.rr.com Visit our website:
www.fourwayswest.com
Expand your horizons.
© Richard Steinheimer Conversations About Photography 2012
Join us for a three-day conference where we explore the world of railroad photography and art from many perspectives. Presenters include Bill Botkin, Shirley Burman (wife of the late Richard Steinheimer), Steve Crise, Tom Fawell, Chris Goepel, Joel Jensen, Henry Posner III, and Chris Starnes of
railpictures.net. Register online today!
www.railphoto-art.org/conference CENTER FOR RAILROAD
PHOTOGRAPHY & ART P.O. Box 259330, Madison, WI 53725-9330 • (608) 251-5785
11
Features:
Little River Railroad #110/ Celebrating 100 Years
Tank Engines to Rock Island by Yard Goat Images
New!
by Yard Goat Images Features:
QJs to Rock Island NKP 765 to Rock Island Silver Creek & Stephenson Rock Island Train Festival
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