Re: Can of worms or C&TS car colors (was: Re: Color Quiz)

hank Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> superfleet Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If I might ask, why are the coaches in use of
> the
> > Cumbres and Toltec painted red in lieu of the
> > D&RGW green as seen in Greg's image? Not meant
> as
> > a criticism in any way, just ignorant as to why
> > the red/maroon was chosen.
> >
> Many electrons died here debating this 10 years
> ago or so.
> btw, D&RG(W) passenger cars were red longer than
> they were green. 1871-1918 vs 1918-1954. Heck, the
> cars on the Silverton have now been yellow longer
> than they were green!
> hank

I've read that the original Jackson & Sharp coaches from the early 1870's were delivered brown, although I can't recollect where I read it and I certainly don't regard that iffy memory as gospel. All that period photographs really show (cursed black & white photography) is that they had a lot of intricate trim which was no doubt gone soon enough, and roofs which were much lighter than the body color.

How long did those original 2-and-1 seating coaches last in their original forms, anyway? I see them pop up in photographs (typically on the southern system lines) into the late 1870's or 1880's, at least. Certainly they would have been among the earliest 8-wheel coaches to be rebuilt or disposed of.