Great Northern 1304 – Chair Car
Pullman Standard built this car in December 1950 with Builders No. 3265. The Great Northern RR named it “Priest River,” No. 1197, and used it on their train, the Empire Builder: one drawing room, 2 bedrooms, and a buffet/observation room.
Length: 85 ft.
Weight: 135,500 lbs.
In 1955 it was rebuilt as the “Grand Coulee” with 4 bedrooms, 1 compartment, and 6 roomettes.
The car was rebuilt in 1968 as Chair Car No. 1304 with 68 seats. The Burlington Northern RR sold this car to Amtrak in 1971. It was purchased by Howard Thornton in 1988 and renamed “Mistletoe II”.
Roy and Darlene Thornton donated the car to the Museum in 2011.