Diner BMCX 899 "Silver Lake" was built in 1954 by Pullman-Standard as a buffet-parlor for the Grand
Trunk Western Railroad. In 1967, it was converted to a buffet-club car. It was used in various trains such as
the "Maple Leaf" and the "Mohawk" on the GTW system in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois until the elimination
of all non-commuter trains on GTW with the coming of Amtrak in 1971. At this time, the car was transferred to
GTW's parent, Canadian National Railways, and later converted to a diner-bar-lounge.
The car was used in various trains in Canada for CNR and VIA Rail (which took over most Canadian
passenger trains in 1978). In 1983, VIA Rail sold the car to Global Communications, who operated it in
excursion trains over the Michigan Northern Railroad. The Bluewater Michigan Chapter purchased the car
from Global in 1985.
The seating area as it was received by Bluewater, Photo by Ken Utter
Shortly after purchase, Bluewater removed the lounge section and converted the car to a full diner.
A pre-restoration picture, Photo by Ken Utter The 899 set up as a snack and
souvenir car
In 1995, Bluewater took the Silver Lake out of service as the car required extensive renovation. This began a
three-year effort undertaken by Bluewater's all-volunteer crew at the Chapter's Saginaw roundhouse.
Renovations required included replacement of large sections of rusted body, replacement of the service
door next to the kitchen, re-location and replacement of water tanks, replacement of the heating and cooling
systems, re-engineering of the electrical system to eliminate the need for DC batteries, and a re-painting to
the original Grand Trunk paint scheme and number (899). The car was used during the 1998 and 1999
seasons for food and souvenir sales, and had the tables removed to accommodate food and souvenir
displays. In 2000 the tables were reinstalled and the car was once again used as a dining car.
Trunk Western Railroad. In 1967, it was converted to a buffet-club car. It was used in various trains such as
the "Maple Leaf" and the "Mohawk" on the GTW system in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois until the elimination
of all non-commuter trains on GTW with the coming of Amtrak in 1971. At this time, the car was transferred to
GTW's parent, Canadian National Railways, and later converted to a diner-bar-lounge.
The car was used in various trains in Canada for CNR and VIA Rail (which took over most Canadian
passenger trains in 1978). In 1983, VIA Rail sold the car to Global Communications, who operated it in
excursion trains over the Michigan Northern Railroad. The Bluewater Michigan Chapter purchased the car
from Global in 1985.
The seating area as it was received by Bluewater, Photo by Ken Utter
Shortly after purchase, Bluewater removed the lounge section and converted the car to a full diner.
A pre-restoration picture, Photo by Ken Utter The 899 set up as a snack and
souvenir car
In 1995, Bluewater took the Silver Lake out of service as the car required extensive renovation. This began a
three-year effort undertaken by Bluewater's all-volunteer crew at the Chapter's Saginaw roundhouse.
Renovations required included replacement of large sections of rusted body, replacement of the service
door next to the kitchen, re-location and replacement of water tanks, replacement of the heating and cooling
systems, re-engineering of the electrical system to eliminate the need for DC batteries, and a re-painting to
the original Grand Trunk paint scheme and number (899). The car was used during the 1998 and 1999
seasons for food and souvenir sales, and had the tables removed to accommodate food and souvenir
displays. In 2000 the tables were reinstalled and the car was once again used as a dining car.
The current seating area in the diner The current kitchen
