Re: Passenger Roof Color and sheen - Colorado, 1930s

MrDCC Wrote:
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> Hello, new member here. First post.

Welcome.

> My current questions revolve around repainting a
> Bachmann On30 coach with a clerestory roof from
> Pullman green to Tuscan red.

By the 1930's all D&RGW passenger equipment in regular service was green. Red went out ca. 1919-1921.
There were some coaches painted red, but not tuscan red, for work service and specials.

>
> The exterior color is fine. The interior is
> painted to resemble oak. The seats were repainted
> to represent gloss black frames and tan leather
> cushions. However, the roof is hounding me.
>
Uhm. I've always seen red plush seating in that era. Tan comes in with ex-Denver Transit seats on the Silverton cars in the 1950's.

> Photos I've seen (and rebuilt or preserved
> prototype cars) seem to fall into two roof color
> schemes: light (white or silver) and dark (black).

Light/Silver roofs is also a Silverton scheme from the 1950's. Roofs were black, with soot if nothing else!

> I would like to hear from folks as to how the roof
> was actually created. Photos lead me to believe
> that it was paper tarred over a wood base.
>
> Is this correct, or how was it done?

I think that's correct but will defer to those who know more than I.

> Comments and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
All of mine above are strictly AFAIK and may be in error. I suggest getting a copy of Colorado Rail Annual #25, "Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Varnish" for an exhaustive coverage of the subject(s).

Hank