Franks Diner Downtown

During the golden days of railroading, Barney-Smith and Pullman vied for supremacy in the elegant railcar business. In 1906, Barney-Smith manufactured this car as an "observation car", when it was then purchased by the Northern Pacific Railroad and remodeled to suit their needs as a private car for the President of the railroad.

Car No. 1787 (this car) served as a Presidential car until it was replaced in 1931.

Stranded in Seattle at the height of the depression, No. 1787 found a new home. Frank Knight, the brother and sometime partner of Jack Knight of Spokane, bought the Presidential car and converted it into a traditional "diner"

Frank and his heirs operated the Diner on 4th Avenue South in Seattle from 1931 until 1991 when they lost their land lease, and the car was moved to Spokane.

With an 80 plus year tradition of serving great breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in car No. 1787, Seattle's loss is Spokane's gain. Our owners and crew are proud to offer Frank's Diner in Spokane, where appreciation for tradition and good food is unsurpassed.

Frank's has been voted Spokane's Best Breakfast for the last three decades. We're confident you'll enjoy our family recipes handed down over the past hundred years.

Proudly serving travelers since 1906.

Franks Diner North Spokane

The Laketon is a Pullman coach known as a "heavyweight". These exceptionally large cars required twelve wheels and weighed about 130,000 pounds. In October of 1913, the Laketon was delivered to the Great Northern Railway Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was built under plan 241 B with a lot number of 4216 and then stamped with car No. 670.

In the fall of 1913, Great Northern Railway Company was competing with Northern Pacific, Union Pacific, and the Milwaukee Line for passenger traffic from the Midwest thru Glacier Park and Spokane on the way to Seattle. With the coming of World War I, military and passenger traffic was very good and the Laketon, in its original configuration as a sleeping car, was ideal for the time.

After the war and through the roaring 20's the need shifted to scenic travel and as a result Great Northern built its own hotels in Glacier Park, which increased the need for dining cars. Great Northern looked to it's existing sleeper cars for ones that could be converted to a dining car. Then they decided that cars like the Laketon which were largest and smoothest riding, would be the most desirable premier dining cars. Then after World War II air travel began to replace train travel and the Laketon was relegated to a construction diner for railroad crews. It was in the 1990's that it was found on a lonesome railroad siding Ballard with the word "Retired" stenciled on its side.

After two years and over the million dollars of renovation, car No. 670's future was secure. It is now fully restored and available to share with everyone who loves history, railroads, good food and elegance. We welcome you to Frank's Diner in North Spokane. Our owners and crew are proud to offer Frank's Diner in Spokane, where appreciation for tradition and good food is unsurpassed.

Proudly serving travelers since 1913.