Silver Coach in 2003

From the outside, the end platform vestibules seem to be there. But inside, they are remodeled into interior space and not their original function.

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The west / southwest corner, which is the left in the above picture.

Glen Flora

The southeast corner, the right side of the big picture.

the floor plan that I drew. Not to scale.

An outside view showing the west end of the restaurant. The white room is the main dining area.

From the outside, the end vestibules seem to be there. But inside, they are remodeled into interior space and not their original function. I used a digital camera of that era, a 2 mp size. And I also have ten 35mm slides, but I didn't do anything with them since. I had tripods and light stands. The aisles are narrow already without camera equipment. I used old lighting equipment from garage sales. A 600-watt Brownie movie light, plus two 500-watt handheld Kodak reflector-bulb photo spotlights. A studio 500 watt blue bulb with aluminum reflector behind barely did anything for the camera. The movie light did. Point them at the dark areas of the picture, and enough light spills over to the whole scene. I used a dark green extension cord, so in case it got in the scene, it probably wouldn't show. Being 'old construction', there's only three electrical receptacles in the car part of the restaurant. And I was worried I might trip the circuit breakers with my powerful lights, but that didn't happen. I took the pictures an hour before the restauant opened (that was 4pm in 2003) and before customers arrived. I had to watch for and avoid strong reflections from the curved wood work, and from the curved corner of the mirror behind the bar.

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Walk in the entrance in the middle of the car, and look east at the bar and east end of the car.

The vestibule is gone, the east end goes clear to the wall.

Turn around and look west at the Dome that is in the middle of the car.

the Dome, closer

The stained glass in the Dome

the nameplate under the glass INTERIOR VESTIBULE - PAT'D DEC 25, 1900 THE BARNEY and SMITH CAR CO. (. . . this car was built in 1903 )

Private dining in a sleeper compartment

There was an un-answered question in 2003.
This is a picture of the cover to a berth, above the dining table.
(and this is too dark of a picture. That wood 'eats' up my photo lighting.)

Note the recessed knob. Rob didn't have the key or handle ( ?? a porter's key ??) to work it, and hasn't opened it since he bought the restaurant (as of 2003)

I could go back for a close-up picture and take measurements of the shaft, but maybe you already know what fits? ( I haven't been back inside since 2003 to know if there is an interest in opening the berth, or if it was already done since then)

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I think this is in the ladies room? I didn't go back to check since 2003.

Porter's services

Built in Dayton, Ohio

Here's a copy of restaurant information from the menu (from 2003). I'll type it here: Welcome to the Silver Coach, Park Ridge's oldest established restaurant. Enjoy our fresh creative cuisine. Please feel free to wander through the bar and dining room. Discover the original stained glass & inlaid wood of our 1905 Smith & Barney sleeper car. Our walls, mantels, and pedestals showcase some of Wisconsin's finest artists & craftsmen. If you are interested in a gallery purchase, please inform our hostess or chef. The Silver Coach features two private dining rooms for two. A beautiful blue spruce drapes the outdoor dining area for our summer visitors. All herbs and some hot peppers are grown in either our summer garden or winter indoor hydoponics garden for maximum freshness. We are happy you joined us in celebrating the spirit of yesterday and today at the Silver Coach. You are always welcome again and again. Rob and Brenda Tuszka

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