Denver & Rio Grande: Paint Information - Revision history

Josh Bernard: /* Locomotives */

2026-04-06T15:42:21Z

Locomotives

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:42, 6 April 2026
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	''"Rio Grande Diesel Locomotive Paint Schemes," Utahrails.net''		''"Rio Grande Diesel Locomotive Paint Schemes," Utahrails.net''

			'''1945'''

			The red and white "Rising Sun" shield on the front of some steam locomotives, particularly the L-105 class, is abolished. Due to a series of fatal grade crossing accidents in Utah during the 1930s, the state asked the railroad to develop better visibility features for its steam locomotives, settling on the "Rising Sun" pattern that resembled the Japanese Gunki flag.

			<blockquote>"No longer will this gaudy red and white shield adorn the front of Rio Grande Locomotives as they roar through the mountains. Originally designed to give motorists additional warning that a train was approaching, the shields have now been ordered removed. While Rio Grande officials did not say so, there are those who believe they are being removed because of their close resemblance to the Rising Sun of Japan."</blockquote>

			''"D&RGW Sinks Rising Sun," The Sentinel (Midvale, Utah) 11 May 1945 p7.'' Also printed in the Park Record (Park City, Utah).

			According to Robert LeMassena, the "Rising Sun" was replaced with chevron stripes painted with either white or aluminum (both colors were used, but not on the same locomotives). Yellow is also known to have been used but further research is required to determine which locomotives received which colors and for what period.

	'''1946'''		'''1946'''

Josh Bernard: /* Locomotives */

2026-03-17T03:50:24Z

Locomotives

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:50, 16 March 2026
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	''Baldwin Locomotive Works engine specifications, 1869-1938 vol 25 p 217, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University''		''Baldwin Locomotive Works engine specifications, 1869-1938 vol 25 p 217, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University''

			'''1910'''

			The name of the railroad "Denver & Rio Grande" is no longer spelled out on the tender; instead only the locomotive number is painted in "big orange letters."

			''Telluride Journal, 7 April 1910.''

	'''1912'''		'''1912'''

Josh Bernard at 19:07, 11 January 2026

2026-01-11T19:07:18Z

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	''[https://coloradorailroadmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/equipment-data-sheet-no-1-web-optimized-2.pdf\| Colorado Railroad Museum restoration report for D&RG caboose 49]''		''[https://coloradorailroadmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/equipment-data-sheet-no-1-web-optimized-2.pdf\| Colorado Railroad Museum restoration report for D&RG caboose 49]''

	'''~~1895~~'''		'''1890'''

	A side-door ~~standard gauge caboose~~ painted ~~yellow with dark lettering~~ is depicted in the Car-Builder's Dictionary.		New standard gauge side-door cabooses are painted white.

			''The Herald Democrat, 16 October 1890.''

			A photograph of one of these cars is depicted in the 1895 Car-Builder's Dictionary.

	'''1896'''		'''1896'''

Josh Bernard: /* Locomotives */

2025-12-17T21:05:38Z

Locomotives

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:05, 17 December 2025
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	A letter addressed to shop foremen at Alamosa Colorado lists the following paints for narrow gauge locomotives:		A letter addressed to shop foremen at Alamosa Colorado lists the following paints for narrow gauge locomotives:

	<blockquote>"Alamosa, Colorado - January 23 1926 - Following is a list of paints and what they are used for furnished by my painter foreman and I want you to specify from this list the paints that you order in the future: 1. Stay-Brite for front ends. 2. Long's Black Paint for headlights, hand rails, domes, and exterior of cabs and tenders. 3. Russian Black Jacket Enamel for jackets. 4. Cab Green for interior of cabs. 5. Aluminum leaf for lettering cabs and tender. 6. Underpining Black Paint for pilots and all running gear of engines, underneath running board, tender frames, and trucks. 7. White Lead for all stenciling. 8. TOCO Finishing Varnish for varnishing exterior of cabs and tenders... If your requisitions do not show the paint or enamel as described in this list, same will be held up or returned to you for proper description."</blockquote>		<blockquote>"Alamosa, Colorado - January 23 1926 - Following is a list of paints and what they are used for furnished by my painter foreman and I want you to specify from this list the paints that you order in the future: 1. [[Locomotive_Front_End_Paints\|Stay-Brite for front ends]]. 2. Long's Black Paint for headlights, hand rails, domes, and exterior of cabs and tenders. 3. Russian Black Jacket Enamel for jackets. 4. Cab Green for interior of cabs. 5. Aluminum leaf for lettering cabs and tender. 6. Underpining Black Paint for pilots and all running gear of engines, underneath running board, tender frames, and trucks. 7. White Lead for all stenciling. 8. TOCO Finishing Varnish for varnishing exterior of cabs and tenders... If your requisitions do not show the paint or enamel as described in this list, same will be held up or returned to you for proper description."</blockquote>

	[https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,277935,278267#msg-278267\| Earl Knoob] of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad found an original can of Staybrite Front End Paint which he described as "basic metallic medium gray."		[https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,277935,278267#msg-278267\| Earl Knoob] of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad found an original can of Staybrite Front End Paint which he described as "basic metallic medium gray."
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	'''1937'''		'''1937'''

	D&RGW Standard Practice outlines that locomotives are to be painted with Staybrite Front End Paint on the smokebox and firebox, Locomotive Black Enamel on cylinders, pilots, and running gear, "Jacket Enamel (Dark Olive Green)" on the boiler jacket, Black Duco on the cab exterior and tender, aluminum paint on the cylinder heads, number plate bead, tire rims, and edge of running board, and "Cab Green, Medium" on the cab interior.		D&RGW Standard Practice outlines that locomotives are to be painted with [[Locomotive_Front_End_Paints\|Staybrite Front End Paint]] on the smokebox and firebox, Locomotive Black Enamel on cylinders, pilots, and running gear, "Jacket Enamel (Dark Olive Green)" on the boiler jacket, Black Duco on the cab exterior and tender, aluminum paint on the cylinder heads, number plate bead, tire rims, and edge of running board, and "Cab Green, Medium" on the cab interior.

	''D&RGWRR Standard Practice: Painting Locomotives and Tenders, 1 November 1937.''		''D&RGWRR Standard Practice: Painting Locomotives and Tenders, 1 November 1937.''

Josh Bernard at 00:36, 8 December 2025

2025-12-08T00:36:11Z

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	The subject of Jacket Enamel (Dark Olive Green) is highly controversial in D&RGW history circles; very few locomotives apparently actually received it, with most being on the standard gauge portions of the company.		The subject of Jacket Enamel (Dark Olive Green) is highly controversial in D&RGW history circles; very few locomotives apparently actually received it, with most being on the standard gauge portions of the company.

			'''1941'''

			Du Pont Duco "Gold" (ochre yellow) is used on the first fifteen diesel road switchers. This is the first documented use of yellow-orange paint for lettering diesel locomotives, and while often confused with the later "aspen gold," is a different paint mix and different shade.

			''"Rio Grande Diesel Locomotive Paint Schemes," Utahrails.net''

			'''1946'''

			Du Pont Dulux "Imitation Gold" is introduced to replace Duco "Gold". Dulux "Imitation Gold" is described as brighter and more yellow than the previous Duco "Gold."

			''"Rio Grande Diesel Locomotive Paint Schemes," Utahrails.net''

	'''1949'''		'''1949'''

Josh Bernard at 00:25, 8 December 2025

2025-12-08T00:25:30Z

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	'''1949'''		'''1949'''

	D&RGW class C-16 number 268 is painted in the "Bumblebee" scheme for the Chicago Railroad Fair. Paint colors used are:		"Aspen Gold" is introduced for the first time on the "Aspen Leaf" scheme on the noses of Alco PA diesel locomotives. This is Du Pont Duco 254-6479/EMD number 8173994. "Aspen Gold" is a later railfan name and was not the name of the paint color itself within the industry; Du Pont and D&RGW documents simply called it "orange."

			D&RGW class C-16 number 268 is painted in the "Bumblebee" scheme for the Chicago Railroad Fair. This was an attempt to adapt the "Aspen Leaf" scheme of the new PA diesel locomotives to a faux 19th century setting. Paint colors used are:

	*Du Pont Duco 6479 deck 620 shade "Orange Lacquer"		*Du Pont Duco 6479 deck 620 shade "Orange Lacquer"

Josh Bernard at 00:18, 8 December 2025

2025-12-08T00:18:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 7 December 2025
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	The subject of Jacket Enamel (Dark Olive Green) is highly controversial in D&RGW history circles; very few locomotives apparently actually received it, with most being on the standard gauge portions of the company.		The subject of Jacket Enamel (Dark Olive Green) is highly controversial in D&RGW history circles; very few locomotives apparently actually received it, with most being on the standard gauge portions of the company.

			'''1949'''

			D&RGW class C-16 number 268 is painted in the "Bumblebee" scheme for the Chicago Railroad Fair. Paint colors used are:

			*Du Pont Duco 6479 deck 620 shade "Orange Lacquer"

			*Aluminum (frame and wheels)

			*Black (stripes, letters, numbers)

			*Dark Olive Green Boiler Jacket Enamel

			''"Timetable: Cripple Creek & Tin Cup R.R.," Chicago, Ill: Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, 1949.''

	'''1951'''		'''1951'''

Josh Bernard: /* Passenger Equipment */

2024-05-31T22:14:53Z

Passenger Equipment

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	Standard gauge passenger cars are painted Tuscan red with gold leaf lettering and striping. The lettering is drop shadowed in two-tone "light color" (likely the light blue found on Pay Car F, former chair car 25 at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad). Corner and door posts are painted black with gold pinstriping. Roof chamfer is black.		Standard gauge passenger cars are painted Tuscan red with gold leaf lettering and striping. The lettering is drop shadowed in two-tone "light color" (likely the light blue found on Pay Car F, former chair car 25 at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad). Corner and door posts are painted black with gold pinstriping. Roof chamfer is black.

	'''"Lettering and Stripes for Standard Gauge Baggage & Express Cars," D&RG card 3685 C-373, 5 April 1890, Denver Public Library Collection'''		''"Lettering and Stripes for Standard Gauge Baggage & Express Cars," D&RG card 3685 C-373, 5 April 1890, Denver Public Library Collection''

	'''1904'''		'''1904'''

Josh Bernard at 22:14, 31 May 2024

2024-05-31T22:14:23Z

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	''[https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=RMD18890827-01.2.89&srpos=70&e=--1880---1890--en-20--61--img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA--------0------\|"Personal and General," The Rocky Mountain News 27 August 1889]''		''[https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=RMD18890827-01.2.89&srpos=70&e=--1880---1890--en-20--61--img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA--------0------\|"Personal and General," The Rocky Mountain News 27 August 1889]''

			'''1890'''

			Standard gauge passenger cars are painted Tuscan red with gold leaf lettering and striping. The lettering is drop shadowed in two-tone "light color" (likely the light blue found on Pay Car F, former chair car 25 at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad). Corner and door posts are painted black with gold pinstriping. Roof chamfer is black.

			'''"Lettering and Stripes for Standard Gauge Baggage & Express Cars," D&RG card 3685 C-373, 5 April 1890, Denver Public Library Collection'''

	'''1904'''		'''1904'''

Josh Bernard: /* Locomotives */

2024-05-31T22:09:25Z

Locomotives

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:09, 31 May 2024
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	''Baldwin Locomotive Works engine specifications, 1869-1938 vol 10 p 46, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University''		''Baldwin Locomotive Works engine specifications, 1869-1938 vol 10 p 46, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University''

			Class 60N (later C-16) locomotives, Baldwin class 10-24 1/2 E, are delivered in Style 103, black and color. Body color is black, main striping and lettering are in imitation gold (yellow) with red pinstriping.

			''Baldwin Locomotive Works engine specifications, 1869-1938 vol 10 p 197, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University''


	'''1881'''		'''1881'''