Hi All,

With Tourist Car 470 being returned to its as-delivered paint scheme, I'm curious what the paint scheme would have been for other D&RG cars during the same era. Based on the "Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Varnish" book, these cars were only in service between 1889-1898. It looks like there was a paint scheme between the elaborate as-built color scheme, and the Tuscan scheme that the historic fleet is being repainted to. I could only find the following photos; the 2nd one is dated 1897 per the Varnish book:

Coach 327

Coach 292 Colorized

Notice there's a small amount of pinstriping, and "shadow" lettering. Would the cars have been painted tuscan or a different color during this era? This is only a technical question; frankly I am in awe of the gorgeous work being done with the historic car fleet at the C&TS, and it will be amazing to see a period correct passenger train. I'm just more curious to see what the early "Victorian" era would have looked like.

- Justin