Ordinarily when someone thinks of a “landmark” it doesn’t bring to mind something that moves from place to place.

A landmark is often thought of as being an object of some sort that marks the boundary of an area of land. A tree or a cairn can be a landmark. A landmark might also be an object that can be observed and referenced for navigation, for example, a prominent mountain peak or a distinct rock outcropping. Additionally, the word landmark has come to mean a structure that has an unusual historic interest that has been officially designated and set aside for preservation. So can a “landmark” move?

The definitions above are the common interpretations of what a landmark is but there is another definition of what a landmark can be. A landmark can also be an event or development that marks a turning point or a stage according to Merriam-​Webster. Read on to learn of one such “moving landmark”

In 1966 the National Historic Preservation Act established the National Register of Historic Places. Over the last 46 years more than one million properties have been listed on the National Register. Most are “contributing resources” found inside the boundaries of a designated historic district; however, over 80,000 are listed individually. Most are structures such as buildings and bridges but there are a very small number of these landmarks that are portable, they actually move. One such listing on the Register is a locomotive, the Spokane Portland & Seattle #700.

Some feel that a “true diner” is a prefabricated structure built at a plant with the intended purpose of serving food. Many think that a diner is a “diner” because of the style of food that is provided.

The cultural phenomenon that has evolved into the modern diner has its roots in the Northeast. A gentleman named Walter Scott started a part time business out of home selling prepared lunches to supplement his income at a local newspaper in Providence, RI. In 1872 he quit his pressman’s job and started selling full time out of an enclosed wagon. From this humble beginning the diner evolved. When the nation became electrified many horse drawn trolley cars were converted to use as a dining establishment because of their abundance and low cost. The next change came during the great depression when former rail cars became available for purchase at reasonable prices. The term, “diner” comes from “dining car”. The companies making the structures had begun modeling them after the elegant rail cars of the period. Additionally low cost rail cars that had seen actual use on railroad lines throughout the country took on a new life as an eatery.

One such car was Northern Pacific Railroad’s #1787.

Built by the Barney-​Smith Company the 1787 was built as an “observation car” in 1906. Barney-​Smith was the primary competitor for the more well-​known Pullman Company’s elegant railcar business. The car sat unsold for five years when North Pacific Railroad (NP) bought it and had it remodeled into a private presidential railcar. The North Pacific used NP 1787 from 1909 until a replacement was purchased after two decades. The 1787 served the NP faithfully providing a luxurious home away from home for three of the North Pacific’s presidents, Howard Elliott, (1903 – 1913), Jule Murat Hannaford, (1913 – 1920), and Charles Donnelly, (1920 – 1939).

NP #1787, the elegant presidential car sporting Tiffany Glass in the clerestory windows, and elaborate light fixtures throughout, eventually became a victim of the great depression. Sitting idle in Seattle it was purchased by the Knight brothers, Frank and Jack. It was then converted The Knight’s diner on 4^th Ave South in Seattle where it remained in business and in the Knight family for the next 60 years. The loss of a lease brought another loss to Seattle, The Knight’s Diner. Shortly after it was closed in 1991 NP #1787 was moved across the State of Washington to Downtown Spokane where it was restored once again and its long tradition of great breakfasts was continued. Since Spokane already had a Knight’s diner Frank’s came into existance.

The diner is topped with a nice neon reminder that Frank’s has been at it since 1931 as a diner. A reader board type sign featuring a clock and witty sayings to entice visitors sits near the corner of the parking area. The best slogan on the day I visited was, “Gravy is My Favorite Food Group”. Yes, indeed. Frank’s has another location in North Spokane in a 1913 Pullman sleeper “Laketon”, lettered as GN #670 But the downtown location at 1516 W. 2^nd Ave is my pick.

Routinely voted as Spokane’s “Best Breakfast”, Frank’s Diner boasts that it serves:

“15 thousand eggs and

2 ½ tons of hashbrowns Per month

One breakfast at a time
PRICELESS”

In an era where people are forgetting that “real diners” are not found in strip malls, and here in a region where a “real diner” is a rare find, Frank’s truly is the “Real Deal”. If you make a trip to Spokane be sure to include a stop at Frank’s. Breakfast is served.…All Day.

Source: Frank’s Diner, Barney & Smith Company

I have always loved the sound of a train’s horn and my favourite has long been the howl of Amtrak as it pulls into or out of town in the mornings and evenings. I always check my watch when I hear the sound to see if they are running on time or running late. Amtrak Cascades pulls out of Eugene promptly at 9:00 AM and is supposed to return home at 9:00 PM at night. “The Cascades is running late” is a common comment on any given evening. Then there is the Coast Starlight that is supposed to go through about noon and 5:00 PM each day.

Turns out I am not the only one who loves that Amtrak “whistle”. Fred W. Frailey in a Trains Magazine online article entitled “Blues in the night: The whistle to end all whistles” recounts his love for the “beauty of an Amtrak whistle”. More accuratly today the “whistle” is an air horn but the train whistle designation remains from the days of steam railroading. From coast to coast there are those sharing their love of the horn on YouTube.

In Florida there is “Great Horn Salutes By Amtrak” and from California there is “Why Do We Love Amtrak w/​Awesome K5LA Horn Action”.

Dee Brown’s epic history of the building of the transcontinental railroad, “Hear That Lonesome Whistle Blow (1977)” reminds us of a long American love affair with train whistles. Hank Williams sang about the lure of the whistle in his song “I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow”. Johnny Cash liked it enough to do a cover of the song in 1957. Bobby Darin performed a great version of it in 1973 and more recently Beck has covered the song as well. (Lyrics)Back to Amtrak’s horn. Over the course of the last year Amtrak’s 40^th Anniversary Exhibit Train has been crossing the continent. Part of the exhibit displays the different horns used by Amtrak over the past four decades. It seemed to be the kids favorites portion of the exhibit, pushing the button to hear the different horn sounds again and again. The current horn, as noted above, is the AirChime K5LA. There appears to be a basis for liking the sound of this horn. The “whistle” is an actual musical cord: D# (sharp), F#, G#, B, and D#, a B Major 6^th. When I learned this I couldn’t wait to have the wife pick it out on her piano just to hear how it sounds.