I can't recall the source, but I just recently read the RI&P is a replica of a purpose prepared special event train of the early 1900s. No mention of if the prototype was clad,or silver, or polished; but,regardless I had assumed it was complete fantasy. To read it was real in some way, was pretty cool.
The RIP cars are gold. They show too way too yellow on a camera. I messed with photo to get close to gold, but they appear more gold in person. The red is dark, ruddy. Rustoleum primer is a bit too brown, but a near match; complementry anyhow.(Bobber roof & trim)
Bobber cabooses are fitting imo., I was very happy to see the little woodsides get a shot eventually. I had always wanted a caboose for mine. (This caboose is a painted over R.I. made for the red dockside engine)
To make up a longer, mixed consist thag including one of my oldest childhood cars, the somewhat heavy WF gunfighter car, I decided to double head.
A shorter coupler would be better and the lead's tender had to be weighted to avoid stringline and accordion derailment (#2 tender got some too. For the same benefit to operations, but more so I can swap at will.). But interestingly, the car count doubleheaded is one or two higher than separating the two.
Performance varies a lot by version. I would love to see a pulling force comparison test done on them all. I wonder if not by a collector/operator with some time, by us as a group. I think as long as the cars used are similar, it may not not be perfect, but it could be effective enough to "pin more stars" on one.
Cleaning, take care not to scratch the mirror shine with dust. I dust brush, then dip the brush in mildly soapy water, shake, then work the corners, then work the corners, finishing lightly with Qtips.
The white rim paint is delicate, but I've seen worse. I'd say semi-delicate.
Way too yellow, the bobber though darker, is closer to the tone of the set coaches when seen by eye vs camera.