Ron:
To further elaborate on your question, it is my understanding, from Andy Payne, that the Silver and Gold color scheme (these are also the official school colors of the University of Colorado)were first used on the Rio Grande's standard gauge train "The Prospector".
There are pictures of coach #280 in this color scheme, identifiable by the distinctive three sets of roof vents, coupled into the consist of the San Juan during a run in 1950.
There have been several versions of this scheme, the first had multiple "Bumblebee" stripes and silver trucks. On the 280, a straight line was achieved for the striping which was stretched the length of the car touching the belt rail at each end only. In the middle of the coach, both stripes were below the bowed belt rail by at least two inches. As I recall, the striping on 473's tender was also level, in contrast to the sloping tank. I wonder how this would look on a model. Exaggerated and improbable, probably.
Great question.
Mike