Re: Historic Car Project @ C&TS is NOT San Juan

Greg - If the historic car fleet is being restored to approximate 1924, then they would be Pullman green, and lettered D&RGW.

The D&RG changed from maroon to Pullman green paint for passenger cars in 1918 because the paint lasted longer between repainting and cost less. The green cars, lettered D&RG, would be correct for the 1918 - 1921 period. The D&RG was reorganized as the D&RGW in 1921.

A slightly earlier time frame offers the maroon cars lettered D&RG.

Matching locomotives to the cars requires some thought as well. My understanding from what the C&TS has posted previously is that the plan is to restore the 168 to look much as it did in the 1910 - 1921 period with the box headlight converted to electric light. In other words, late D&RG. That fits well with either the maroon or green cars.

No 463 really fits only for the green cars lettered D&RGW, because the K-27s were converted to piston valves and superheat by the D&RGW, starting in 1923-24, and No. 463 was not rebuilt until 1927. The same consideration applies to the K-28s, delivered in 1923, and the K-36 class delivered in 1925. The green D&RGW cars would work with any of the C&TS K-36 class to represent the Alamosa - Durango passenger service before the 1936-37 modernization of equipment for the San Juan.

I am excited about the prospect of having this historic passenger train available for special operations. A nice change from what most of us are familiar with.

Charlie
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