Everyone seems to like the tuscan or maroon color with the gold trim, and I have no objections to that either. I would still like to see SOME coaches painted with Denver & Rio Grande Western on them. Maybe not all, but some.
I suggest painting 6 to 10 coaches with this paint scheme, and make half of them C&TS, and half D&RGW. Here's why. In the fall when there is overflow enough to make a second section from Chama(as discussed previously), the new tuscan cars can be used as one entire train.
Another idea is to charge a slight premium to ride in the historically lettered coaches that say D&RGW, and issue a free pamphlet about it with each ticket. I can hear folks talking about how they got to ride in the SPECIAL D&RGW coaches.
Also consider this....to my knowledge there has never been ANY D&RGW lettered coaches on the line
and if historical accuracy is a goal of the preservation, what harm would there be in having some coaches lettered this way, and some C&TS. After the first group is on the road awhile get feedback from riders, and take that into account for future paintings.
Paint now for the fall rush!!
Cheers,
Greg Scholl