Lehigh Valley Railroad: Paint Information
Reference / Historic Railroad Paint Color Index
Freight Cars
1892
LV coal and hopper cars known to be painted black.
The Buffalo Courier (Buffalo, NY) 19 September 1892
1896
LV boxcars are red. On one side of the boxcars is painted a white staff with a red pennant, on which is painted a black diamond. Within the diamond is painted “L. V.” in white.
Passenger Cars
1876
LV passenger cars painted “an ugly green color.”
The Springfield Republican (Springfield, MA), 15 February 1876
1882
LV passenger cars painted a “light olive color,” with gold and black striping, and “the only ornaments being the name of the road and the number of the car.”
The Daily Republican (Wilmington, DE), 16 May 1882
The National Car Builder, July 1882, pg. 73
1885
LV passenger cars start to be painted red.
The Wilkes-Barre Record (Wilkes-Barre, PA), 31 December 1885
1886
LV “standard color” for passenger cars is Tuscan red, with lettering and striping the “same as heretofore.”
The Hazelton Sentinel (Hazelton, PA), 5 January 1886
1892
LV starts to paint passenger cars in “the Reading’s” brown, with gold trimmings.
The Philadelphia Record (Philadelphia, PA), 28 June 1892
1892
LV starts to paint passenger cars in “the Reading’s” olive green.
The Wilkes-Barre Record (Wilkes-Barre, PA), 12 October 1892
1896
Passenger cars of the LV “Black Diamond Express” painted a “glossy coal.”
“It is an elegant train of four cars all of the Pullman make, and all elegantly upholstered. The color outside is a glossy coal, in keeping with its name.”
Geneva Advertiser Tuesday, May 19, 1896
“The single train was really made up of what will be three trains, a total of 12 cars. Each train has a cafe and baggage car combined, two day coaches and a parlor car. On the baggage portion of the combination car is painted ‘Black Diamond Express’ in gilt letters with a green wreath and the well known Lehigh Valley flag.”
Elmira Daily Gazette and Free Press May 7, 1896
“The exterior is painted the Lehigh standard, the only variation being on the forward car on which appears also the heraldry of the ‘L.V.’ enclosed in a wreath, and the words ‘Black Diamond Express’ in aluminum leaf.”
Ithaca Daily Journal Thursday, May 14, 1896
“The exterior of the train is painted according to the quiet Lehigh Valley standard. Inside is to be found not only repose for the body and conveniences of all sorts, but the eye Is pleased and the brain soothed by the most artistic combinations of colors and mural decorations, hanging and upholstery. There is not a trace of gaudiness to be seen; everything is rich and quiet, and therefore enduringly effective.”
Illustrated Buffalo Express Sunday, May 17, 1896