Orange and purple zones

[whole diary]

[CyclingSid]

Divergence warning.

On the theme of colours, I remember in my younger days there used to be a coloured strip along the top carriages indicating first class, second class, buffet, restaurant (that's sticking my neck out). Can anyone remind me of the colours, and were there any types other than I mentioned.

Possibly easier to spot than mark at end doors, especially when split between first and standard.

[rogerw]

I think that there were only two distinct colours for the roof line bands. Yellow for first class and red for refreshment vehicles. There was no indication of the nature of refreshments available.

[broadgage]

I think that there were only two distinct colours for the roof line bands. Yellow for first class and red for refreshment vehicles. There was no indication of the nature of refreshments available.

That is my recollection.
There was also very limited use of a red line on some older stock to indicate compartments without any gangway or corridor, in order that women nervous of attack could avoid use of these vehicles.

[grahame]

In pedant mode - I recall it being yellow and red for sections of vehicles rather that the whole vehicle. Remarkably hard to find a picture - but https://thedieselworks.co.uk/product/lima-buffet-intercity-mark-3-buffet-car-pre-owned-unboxed/ shows it clearly on a model

[stuving]

There's a load more detailed details here from - where else? rmweb. It includes hints, at least, of the idea being first used by GER, including blue for second class, and that it was copied by UIC.

[Bmblbzzz]

In pedant mode - I recall it being yellow and red for sections of vehicles rather that the whole vehicle. Remarkably hard to find a picture - but https://thedieselworks.co.uk/product/lima-buffet-intercity-mark-3-buffet-car-pre-owned-unboxed/ shows it clearly on a model

I think so too.

I also have a vague feeling that these stripes were at one time used on some other European railways. Maybe in Germany or France?

[stuving]

In pedant mode - I recall it being yellow and red for sections of vehicles rather that the whole vehicle. Remarkably hard to find a picture - but https://thedieselworks.co.uk/product/lima-buffet-intercity-mark-3-buffet-car-pre-owned-unboxed/ shows it clearly on a model

I think so too.

I also have a vague feeling that these stripes were at one time used on some other European railways. Maybe in Germany or France?

Here's another page of detailed details from "Blood and Custard". This calls the markings applied by BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) after the war "UIC cantrail banding". It's not clear whether the UIC standard that existed by then was the real source of this, or whether it was remembered from earlier British use. Maybe a bit of both.