Thanks for your questions and information Lee. I wasn't involved with the PNWC-NRHS before 1989 but have heard stories about Chapter member trips on the Mt. Hood as you described to Wishram, etc. It is very interesting what all could happen back in those days.

The info I have about the Mt. Hood from the PNWC inventory record: Built by Pullman Standard Manufacturing Company of Chicago as a sleeper/lounge for SP&S Empire Builder service, lot 6829 plan 4163; ordered 9/1946 delivered 2/1950. Six single-person roomettes and three large 2-person compartments, two of them can be opened to provide a 4-person room; small kitchen and Farnsworth radio in the lounge. Seating in the lounge for 22. PNWC installed a shower in the car and replaced the stove and mostly new carpet. Otherwise the car is pretty near original although the sinks and toilets in the sleeping rooms aren't functional.

I understand the Hood and Helens were some of the few tail cars that carried two tail end signs.

And yes, the Mt. Hood and Mt. Saint Helens were used on the SP&S Portland section of the Empire Builder and I believe both would have been in GN livery with SP&S lettering. At least that is true of the Hood. I also believe that both saw service behind the City of Portland owned SP&S 700 4-8-4 maintained by the good folk from Pacific Railroad Preservation Association.