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 ???