Denver & Rio Grande: Paint Information

Reference / Historic Railroad Paint Color Index

Freight Cars

1871

Cabooses painted "Brilliant Red" with black ironwork. Floors, platforms and steps painted Prince's Mineral Brown. Window sashes painted Tuscan Red. Lettering was done in imitation gold (yellow).

Colorado Railroad Museum restoration report for D&RG caboose 49

1895

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

1896

Ironwork painted Hanion Bros. & Co. "Anti-Rust" or "Antoxide" paint (black).

Railroad Car Journal, August 1896

1904

AC&F built 5500 series stock cars painted Princes Mineral Brown with Asphaltum hardware and trucks.

1916

Cabooses repainted from "Brilliant Red" to Prince's Mineral Brown.

"Denver & Rio Grande Railway Burnham, May 24, 1916 - Gentleman: Effective on receipt of these instructions, we will discontinue the use of brilliant red on caboose cars and paint such cars the same as other freight equipment. Acknowledge receipt and advise if understood. Respectfully, J. F. Enright"

1920

Freight Car Red introduced.

Passenger Equipment

1871

Narrow-gauge passenger cars painted a “brown or cinnamon color,” relieved with gilt.

The St. Joseph Weekly Gazette (St. Joseph, MO), 17 August 1871

1878

Parlor cars painted “chocolate color,” striped and ornamented in gold.

The Harrisburg Daily Patriot (Harrisburg, PA), 21 June 1878

1904

Standard gauge passenger cars painted with Sherwin Williams Pullman Color (New) (Pullman olive green). Narrow gauge cars continue to be painted Tuscan Red.

1908

Passenger cars painted in Pullman color. Chamfers, crown mouldings, window nosings, door sills and ironwork all painted black. Lettered in gold leaf. Roof painted Prince's Metallic Brown. Window sashes finished mahogany. Trucks painted "Pullman Shade" and striped with yellow. Signal hose and gas valve painted Vermilion.

Baggage compartment interiors painted light green on the walls, Prince's Mineral Brown on the floors, and white on the ceiling.

Denver & Rio Grande painting instructions, 1908, Denver Public Library Collection

1918

Narrow gauge passenger cars painted standard coach green instead of tuscan red as a coach saving measure. memo source ???

Buildings

1881

Lineside buildings were painted oxide brown (Prince's Metallic).

1915

Lineside structures repainted to buff siding with brown trim.

1945

Lineside structures repainted to cream siding with light green trim.

Historical Overview of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: Osier, Colorado, Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad June 2010.

Reference / Historic Railroad Paint Color Index