TRAIN COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION GRADING STANDARDS

1 TRAIN COLLECTORS ASSOCIATIONGRADING STANDARDSA guide to using the GRADING standardson postwar trains and accessories1 Introduction TheStandardsPowerPointprogramongradingpr ewarandpostwartrainsandaccessoriescomple tesourcommittee , , STANDARDS Committee Display National Toy TRAIN Museum, Strasburg, , ,ortheitemshowspowderpolishresidueinthec racksandcrevices,thefinishiswornontheriv etheadsandhighspots,andrubberstampedlett eringiswornandfaint, , ,polishedandre-lacqueredgenerallywouldbe consideredundertheTCA , BrandNewAllOriginal,Unused, unblemished . proof ,evenif brandnew , ,morelikely, ,it #1, #1 12 Figure #213 Figure #314C-9 FactoryNew-Brandnewalloriginal,unused,ma yevidencefactoryrubsandtheslightestevide nceofhandling, new (Remember-boxesaregradedunderadifferents tandard.) (C-6orbelow)ordamagetothefinishfrompoors torageconditions(heat,humidity) , # #4 Damage to frame from battery #5showsdustordirtunderthepaintedfinishon anIllinoisCentral A # #5 Imperfections in painted #6 Sprue mark22C-8 LikeNew-Completealloriginal,norust,nomis singparts,mayshoweffectsofbeingondisplay andorage, ,100% ,aluminumandplatedpartsmayshowslightaget arnish(butnorust) ,cracking,checking,fadingofcolorsorlette ring, , , ,forexampleLionelF-3 IllinoisCentralA-Bunits, ,ifselling/tradingsuchanitem,the fadedmarkings smallnicksorchips canbeintheC-8categoryiftheseare effectsofbeingondisplayandorage,andmayha vebeenrun.

2 ExamplesincludetinychipsattheendsofLione lGG-1bodiesandthehighestpointsofdieseltr ucksthatrepresent boxwear . , , #731 Figure #832 Figure #933 Figure #1034 Figures#11and# #1135 Figure #12 36C-7 Excellent Alloriginal,minutescratchesandpaintnicks , , (thin,finelines)andnicks(smallspotsorchi ps). , , ,warping,expansionormetalfatigue(zincpes t).Thiscanincludeframes,steamchests,engi neandtenderbodies,wheels, (orassumingthereplacementpartispainted,t hentheitemwouldbegradedundertheRestorati onStandards). ,C-6,orC-5 (a)howmany?(b)howbig?andtosomeextent(c)w herearetheflawslocated?41 Figure# 14 17 show a box car with relatively bright finish but the lettering is worn in some spots and there are a number of small nicks and chips in the finish. 44 Figure #1445 Figure #1546 Figure #1647 Figure #17C-6 VeryGood-Minorscratchesandpaintnicks,min orspotsofsurfacerust, , dents expectedcracks expectedcracks ,sometimesthereareafew spiderweb #18 Left hand crack52 Figure #19 Rare right hand crack53 Figure # ,whistles,handrails,pantographs,couplers , ,cabs,steamchests,engineandtenderbodies, motors, # #2157 Figure #2258 Figure #2359 Figure #2460 Figure #2561 Figure #2662 Figure # , , , #2867 Figure #2968 Figure #3069 Figure #3170 Figures32 34shownumerouschipsinprominentareas, 32 34 show numerous chips in prominent areas, heavy wear plus noticeable wear to decals.

3 Grade as #3273 Figure #3374 Figure #3475C-4 Fair-Scratches,moderatepaintloss,dentedm issingparts, ,dirt,grime, , , #3578 Figures 35 and 36 show a box car underframewith surface rust. 79 Figure #3680 Figure# # ,paintloss, #3983 Figures 39 to 43 show box cars with scratches, paint loss, chips and evidence of heavy use. 84 Figure #4085 Figure #4186 Figure #4287 Figure # , ,nicks, #4491 Figure # #4693 Figures 46 and 47 show major lettering loss on the side of the car. 94 Figure # #4896 Figure #4997 Figures50and51showaMarxflatcarwithrust,s cratches,dirt, , #5098 Figure #5199C-2 Restoration requiredC-1 Junk, parts value only #52 shows deep, prominent rust. Figure #52102 Figure #53 shows a car with poor lettering and partial repaint. Figure #53103 Figure #54 shows a car that suffered significant heat damage resulting in warping. Good only for a few parts. Figure #54104 General comments and ,notonlythesizeoftheseflawsmustbeconside redbutalsothelocationontheitemandtheirsi zeinrelationtotheitem ,textures,patina, ,itsgradecannotbehigherthanC-6; (s) , , , ,authenticity, , Photosdescribecondition ,partsneededforoperation(suchasinternalm otorparts) , , , (suchasendsratherthanthesides) by theTrain COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION National STANDARDS Committee October 2008 Robert C.

4 Robinson, Chairma