Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Paint Information
Reference / Historic Railroad Paint Color Index
Passenger Equipment
1879
C&O changes the standard orange color for passenger cars to Pullman color.
The National Car Builder, March 1882, p26.
1880
Coaches built by Jackson & Sharp are painted dark green with Eastlake pattern striping in gold and drab.
The Daily Republican (Wilmington Delaware), 1 April 1880
1882
After experimenting with Pullman color for three years, the standard color for passenger cars reverts to orange.
The National Car Builder, March 1882, p26.
1889
Under order from President Ingalls, passenger equipment is repainted yellow to match the fleet of the CIStL&C.
The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis Indiana), 20 March 1889.
1894
Bright yellow cars sent to Pullman to be rebuilt are repainted in a fresh coat of yellow.
Evening Journal (Wilmington Delaware), 16 April 1894.
Evening Bulletin (Maysville Kentucky), 23 April 1894
1898
A new Pullman Palace car serving the C&O is painted orange.
Evening Journal (Wilmington Delaware), 23 March 1898.
1900
Passenger cars are orange glazed with Cadmium yellow. Letterboards and corner posts are painted red and glazed with lake.
"Notes and Comments," Railway Master Mechanic July 1905 p266.
The railroad first begins considering a change from orange, but does not make any effort to do so.
The Times (Richmond Virginia), 14 August 1900.
Daily Public Ledger (Maysville Kentucky), 4 September 1900.
1905
Passenger cars are changed from orange to Pullman Color (green), including the window sashes.
"Notes and Comments," Railway Master Mechanic July 1905 p266.
Freight Cars
Previous to 1900, C&O freight cars were painted yellow.
1900
Boxcars are painted mineral brown with white lettering.
Coal cars are painted black with white lettering.
The Times (Richmond, VA), 14 August 1900.