Of the numerous restoration projects completed in 2010 at the Colorado Railroad Museum, perhaps the most spectacular is the Rio Grande Southern Rico car. Painted in Tuscan Red, lettered in gold, detailed with gold pin striping, the car is now resplendent whether on display or as the tail car on steam trains during operations at the Museum.

The Rico started its life in 1882 as mail car No. 17, built at a cost of $800 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. During its eight year run on the Rio Grande, it went through a number of rebuilds and changed numbers. Upon being sold to the Rio Grande Southern in 1890, it was first a construction diner, then converted to the superintendent’s car and renamed “Rico.” In this configuration, it had four Pullman sections and the capacity to sleep nine people. It had a kitchen, bathroom, observation room and warmth from a Baker heater.

Perhaps the Rico’s most noteworthy era was as a part of William Henry Jackson’s photography excursion trains in the 1890s. Jackson set out to photograph scenes with his glass plate camera along the RGS and operated out of the Rico and another business car.

From that apex, the Rico descended into use as an outfit car in Durango until it was purchased by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club in 1952 and moved to the Colorado Railroad Museum in 1958. Over the years, club members worked on renovating and maintaining the car, eventually turning over ownership to the Museum.  The club’s actions most certainly saved this unique car from the scrapper.

Museum staff and volunteers then set out to complete the restoration of the car. The challenges were many and countless hours were spent on the restoration. Led by artisans such as Al Blount and George Fling, the Rico was transformed into the beauty it is today. Wood was replaced, upholstery cut and sewn, linoleum laid in place, coal cook stove and stainless steel sink installed, paint applied, and more. Needless to say, restoring a one-hundred-thirty year old rail car involved meeting many unexpected demands, but Museum craftsmen rose to the challenges.

While cleaning and scraping the trucks on the Rico, the original pin striping was discovered. Restorers have revitalized the gold pin stripes on the trucks as well.  One last step in the process remains: the application of three coats of varnish over the paint, lettering and pin stripes.

The Rico car has been put into service a number of times on operation days at the Museum during 2010. The image of it following one of the steam engines around the loop is quite dramatic. Visitors to the Museum are able to have a luxurious ride in the car. Drop by during 2011 operations and perhaps you, too, can enjoy a nineteenth century passenger rail experience.