Okay John you're talking out of both sides of the coach now...Colors vs. Historic!!!!
First, the footage my dad took in 1954 on the Rocky trip has green San Juan cars and the Yellow Silverton cars. I would say the current green cars are pretty darn close to the San Juan Green..At least close enough not to haggle!
Second, these cars are not former D&RGW cars nor are they really patterned after them, so choosing a color for authenticity isn't really relevant is it?
Third, I agree the parlour cars looks very attractive painted something other than the drab green, which tends to get lost in the greenery of the scenery, or looks like an army troop train.
Fourth, I really don't have an opinion for a new color, but I do think since they are not historic cars changing the color wouldn't be a mortal sin, especially if it is some that attracts more riders and gives the feel of something attractive like the D&S. Face it those yellow cars do stand out and Look nice. Thats important to the riders. I know hard-core fans think trains like the Verde Canyon look weird, but I think its tasteful, and the general public make up 95% of the ridership anyway.
Lastly, if you want to make something historic like lettering the engines(which by the way was a nice move)why not make the correct historic name on the water tanks, to make them more accurate. They have been in those possitions for years, and are as close to authentic(including rebuilds) as possible. I'd like to see some old D&RGW herolds on tanks and buildings too for more historic accuracy.
I'm not sure Maroon is a great color...reminds me too much of Norfolk and Western, but I wouldn't be totally against a new color. But, when you make some nice replica San Juan Cars in the future, make them dark green and make a nice train set with Rio Grande Lettering(small sub lettering C&TS on the ends to show they are replicas).
my 50 cents worth
Greg Scholl