Tuscan red
A deep, dark red once standard on railway passenger cars
Tuscan red is a dark shade of red, most recognised for its use on railway passenger cars, especially those of the Pennsylvania Railroad. First named in English in the early 1800s, it became popular in the late 19th century for its ability to hide soot and its rich, maroon appearance.
Share on WhatsAppOpen in the lab
- Tuscan red was the signature colour of Pennsylvania Railroad passenger cars
- First named in English in the early 1800s
- Made from iron oxide red and sometimes alizarin lake pigment
- Used by railways in the US, Australia, and Canada
- Lighter tones tend to tan; darker ones to purplish hues
What colour is Tuscan red?
Tuscan red is a dark, rich red with a maroon tone. It stands out from other reds because of its depth and its link to railway history. The colour is darker than many other reds, which helped it hide soot and dirt on train cars. Its purplish and brownish undertones set it apart from brighter or lighter reds.
Where does Tuscan red come from?
The name 'Tuscan red' first appeared in English in the early 1800s, though the exact date is unclear. The Pennsylvania Railroad adopted it in the 1870s for its passenger cars, choosing the darker shade to better mask coal soot. By the 1880s, the railroad had standardised this maroon-red as its signature colour. Earlier versions were made with brazilwood pigment, but these were replaced for better durability.
How is Tuscan red made?
Tuscan red was originally made using pigments from brazilwood, but these did not cover surfaces well or last long. Later, iron oxide red, known as Indian red, became the main base, sometimes modified with alizarin lake pigment for richness and stability. Cheaper versions used fillers like gypsum or whiting with added aniline dyes.
Where Tuscan red is used
This colour is best known for its use on railway passenger cars, especially by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the United States and the New South Wales Government Railways in Australia. It was also used by the Canadian Pacific Railway and as an accent on Norfolk and Western Railway locomotives. Beyond trains, Tuscan red appears as a coloured pencil shade.
Red around the world
What the red family means from country to country.
Red ochre is used in Aboriginal rock art and ceremony, and is traded over long distances. In the Aboriginal flag the red half stands for the earth and for that ochre.
Sacred and holyNature and renewalAweSource: Australian Aboriginal flagThe flag uses the four Pan-Arab colours: a red bar at the hoist with green, white and black bands. It was designed by a young Emirati, Abdullah Al Maainah, in 1971.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of the United Arab EmiratesThe flag is a black double-headed eagle on red, the banner of the fifteenth-century hero Skanderbeg. Fans chant Kuq e Zi, red and black.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of AlbaniaArmenian scribes painted manuscripts with vordan karmir, a crimson dye made from an insect that lives on the roots of grasses in the Ararat plain.
Sacred and holySource: Armenian cochinealUnder Juan Manuel de Rosas in the 1830s and 1840s, everyone had to wear a scarlet ribbon to show loyalty to his Federalist party. His enemies, the Unitarians, were tied to sky blue.
Politics and protestFearSource: Juan Manuel de RosasThe flag is red, white and red. Legend says Duke Leopold V's white tunic was soaked in blood at the siege of Acre, all but the band under his belt.
Politics and protestCourageSource: Flag of AustriaShades and relatives of Tuscan red
Tuscan red has several related shades. Lighter versions lean towards tan or beige, while darker ones show purplish tones, as in deep Tuscan red. Other related colours include Tuscan, Tuscany, Tuscan tan, and Tuscan brown, each with its own history and subtle differences, sometimes matching colours like café au lait or coffee.
Colours that go with Tuscan red
Harmonies are worked out from the value #7C4848. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Tuscan red
What colour is Tuscan red?
Tuscan red is a deep, dark red with maroon and sometimes purplish undertones. It is darker than most standard reds.
Where does the name Tuscan red come from?
The name first appeared in English in the early 1800s. It became widely known through its use by the Pennsylvania Railroad for their passenger cars.
What was Tuscan red used for?
It was mainly used on railway passenger cars, especially by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the United States, as well as by railways in Australia and Canada.
How was Tuscan red made?
Early versions used pigment from brazilwood, but later it was made from iron oxide red, sometimes with alizarin lake pigment. Cheaper versions used fillers and aniline dyes.
Are there other colours related to Tuscan red?
Yes, lighter tones of Tuscan red look tan or beige, while darker ones are more purplish. Related names include Tuscan, Tuscany, Tuscan tan, and Tuscan brown.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tuscan red", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More of the red family
All of red
Red
Cinnabar
A scarlet to brick-red mineral and the main source of mercury and vermilion pigmentColour named from nature · 🇪🇸 Spain +5
Red
Realgar
An orange-red arsenic sulfide mineral once used as a pigment and poisonPigment · 🇨🇳 China +5
#E25822
Scarlet
A bright red with a touch of orange, long tied to power, sacrifice and sinNamed shade · 🇹🇷 Turkey +4
#E34234
Vermilion
A brilliant orange-red pigment, once made from toxic mercury orePigment · 🇹🇷 Turkey +5
Red
Rubia
A group of plants whose roots once dyed cloth and paint a lasting redColour named from nature · 🇪🇬 Egypt +5
#DC143C
Crimson
A deep red with a hint of purple, once made from insectsNamed shade · 🇳🇵 Nepal
#800000
Maroon
A deep brownish red named for the French word for chestnutNamed shade · 🇦🇺 Australia +4
Red
Sindoorसिन्दूर
A red or orange-red powder marking marriage for Hindu women in South AsiaTraditional colour · 🇮🇳 India +4
More colours tied to Australia
The colours of Australia
#CC7722
Ochre
A natural earth pigment ranging from yellow to deep orange or brownPigment · 🇦🇺 Australia +5
#87CEEB
Sky blue
A light blue named for the colour of a clear daytime skyNamed shade · 🇦🇷 Argentina +5
#000080
Navy blue
A deep blue shade named for the uniforms of the Royal NavyNamed shade · 🇺🇸 United States +2
#002366
Royal blue
A strong, deep blue linked with royalty and national flagsNamed shade · 🇫🇷 France +4