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TRAIN COLLECTORS ASSOCIATIONGRADING STANDARDS

A guide to using the grading standards

on prewar trains and accessories

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Introduction

• The Standards Power Point program on grading prewar and postwar trains and accessories completes our committee’s work on condition grading. This project has been the collaborative effort of many people. However, the main work was done by and credit goes to Charlie Weber and Glenn Stinson. They selected trains in each grading class, photographed them and wrote the text. Glenn spent hours editing and organizing the program .

The program will entertain you and show you specific trains in each grade and explain why they are so graded. You will then be able to effectively grade your trains easily and accurately.

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TCA Standards Committee Display National Toy Train Museum,

Strasburg, Pa. 3

The grading standards apply to all toy train andrelated accessory items. They were prepared toact as guidance and to encourage usage ofcommon terminology when describing thecategory of grading condition for a specific toytrain and related items.

Developed by the Standards Committee andapproved by the TCA Board of Directors in June2005 to be effective in April 2006, the Standardsapply to the visual appearance and originality ofthe item and do not consider the operatingfunctionality of the equipment.

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Items are graded as they are presented at thetime they are examined. Proper rehabilitationand cleaning of an item by a well-experiencedcollector using proven techniques can improvethe condition of an item and the overall gradeunder these standards. But if the efforts areuneven, or the item shows powder polish residuein the cracks and crevices, the finish is worn onthe rivet heads and high spots, and rubberstamped lettering is worn and faint, the grademay be adversely affected.

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To clean or not to clean? That is the collector’s question.

Plated parts may be cleaned, degreased andlightly polished. But brass parts on most itemsshould not be polished since this strips theoriginal lacquer finish. Brass that is stripped ofits original finish, polished and re-lacqueredgenerally would be considered under the TCA’sRestoration Grading Standards. The grade of anitem can be dramatically lowered if the item issubjected to poor handling or adverse storageconditions.

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This all brass engine was polished a long time agoremoving the original Lionel finish and is graded underthe restoration standards.(The red on this engine may also be refinished.)

These standards do not consider the age of anitem when assigning a grade except as notedunder C-8 relating to age tarnish on brass,aluminum and plated parts. However, manyitems from the earliest periods of production aresubject to extreme damage by flaking paint.Without preservation, these early treasures willbe lost.

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Preservation techniques can include applicationof modern clear finishes sealing the paint. Whileapplication of any aftermarket finish over anoriginal finish would normally impact negativelyon the grade, in cases where the finish could beexpected to suffer significant loss withoutpreservation by overcoating, and it’s done in amanner that does not detract from the originalappearance (colors and gloss not altered), thenthe overcoating need not be consideredadversely in the final grade.

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Clear coating has stopped or slowed the extremeflaking of the original finish. Neutral gloss ishardly noticeable.

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Clear coating has preserved the loss of any additionalpaint but the high gloss is not favored by mostcollectors.

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For an item to be graded at a specificlevel it cannot exhibit any of theflaws noted in lower grades. No flawis too small to be considered ingrading.

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Slight surface rust on the couplers limitsthis otherwise C-8 car to C-6.

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The overall condition of an item needs to beconsidered with the most severe flaw(s) being thelimiting grading factor. However, the grade of anitem need not be a single grade. For example, it isacceptable to grade an item as C-6 due to minormissing parts but otherwise C-8. When grading amultiple item set, it is advisable to grade eachitem individually.

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C-10 Mint – Brand new, all original,unused, and unblemished

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Trains meeting this standard are among therarest and most sought after. The key to thisstandard is “unblemished”. The item must beperfect in every manner. This grade could becompared to “proof” coins which are speciallymade and handled. Most manufacturers ofprewar trains did not include such practices intheir manufacturing processes. For example,Lionel finish is known for runs and dirt in thepaint. However minor, these are flaws thatprevent an item’s being graded as C-10.

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The stuff that dreams are made of. Lionel warehouse, Hillside NJ. Summer 1931. Should everything shown be graded C-10? Doubtful. Notice crushed box in the lower right corner.

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This car was never a grade C-10 due to the

run or sag in the painted finish.

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This car was never a grade C-10 due to

the chip on the frame that occurred

during assembly at the factory.

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C-9 Factory New - Brand new alloriginal, unused, may evidencefactory rubs and the slightestevidence of handling, shipping andhaving been test run at the factory.

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This grade is applicable to the vast majority of“new” items. It is inherent in the manufacturingprocess that some signs of handling or box rubswill result. Short factory test runs were the normfor many manufacturers. Examination of wheelsand pickup rollers may show only the faintestsigns of use. Excessive wear may indicate usageafter factory test run and would lower grade toat most C-8.

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New and never run. Minute flaws due tomanufacturing process. C-9

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Items still factory sealed in their boxes may notbe able to be properly graded without openingthe box. (Remember - boxes are graded under adifferent standard.) In such cases a tentative C 9-10 grade could be applied with the footnote thatgrading was done on the item while still in thefactory sealed box. But of course the danger ofsuch ratings could be that hidden flaws such asdegenerated castings (C-6 or below) or damageto the finish from poor storage conditions (heat,humidity) may not be detected.

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The grade of this item in a factory sealed

box can only be estimated. The condition

of the box itself can give many clues as

to the content’s condition.

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Never out of the box and never unwrapped. C-9 or C-10? Odds are it’s a C-9 at best due to inherentfactory flaws.

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The grade of an item is not affected by the presenceor absence of boxes, instructions, wrapping paper, etc.Paper items are graded under separate standards.

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C-8 Like New - Complete all original,no rust, no missing parts, may showeffects of being on display and orage, and may have been run.

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Items meeting this grade are of very highquality, 100% original and authentic with nomissing or replacement parts and noaftermarket alterations.

The item can be a little dusty or show somehandling fingerprints from being on display.

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While this car has been run, the finish is stilllike it just came from the factory. C-8

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Brass, aluminum and plated parts may showslight age tarnish (but no rust) or the item mayshow slight signs of being run or used.

The item may not show any deterioration of thefinish from effects such as crazing, cracking,checking, fading of colors or lettering, or dirt andgrime.

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It may show slight signs of operation such as lightwear on the pick-up rollers and wheels, somewear from trucks rubbing on the frame or smallnicks and chips around couplers and othermoving parts.

The main areas of the item such as roofs, endsand sides should not show any damage to thefinish.

This is a tough category. The item is used

but still flawless.

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C-7 Excellent – All original, minutescratches and paint nicks, no rust andno missing parts. No distortion tocomponent parts.

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This grade requires the item to be 100%original, complete and authentic with nomissing or replacement parts and noaftermarket alterations.

The finish can show the smallest scratches(thin, fine lines) and nicks (small spots orchips). These flaws are not to beconcentrated in areas and should not be onprominent areas such as sides or roof.

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All original, minute scratches and paint nicks,no rust and no missing parts. C-7

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The item cannot show any rust on plated,painted or lithographed surfaces. Plated surfacescan show a slight dulling of the finish but no rust.Painted or lithographed surfaces cannot exhibitchecking, crazing or fine lines under the finishthat are normally considered rusting of the metalunder the finished surface.

It may show slight signs of dirt and grime.

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Component parts including cast parts may notshow any deterioration, warping, expansion ormetal fatigue (zincpest). This can include frames,steam chests, engine and tender bodies, wheels,headlights. Replacement of these parts with aproperly marked replacement part reduces thegrade to no greater than C-5 (or assuming thereplacement part is painted, then the itemwould be graded under the RestorationStandards).

All wiring is to be original without deterioratedinsulation.

Small, minute nicks on non-prominent partsof this car. C-7

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C-6 Very Good - Minor scratches andpaint nicks, minor spots of surfacerust, free of dents. May have minorparts replaced.

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The finish on items meeting this grade canexhibit a limited number of scratches and nicksplus dirt, grime and other flaws that are moreconcentrated and in more prominent areas thanallowed in C-7.

Light surface rust may be allowed on plated partsbut rust should not have pitted the metal.

There may not be any dents to the item.

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Minor parts may be replaced with properlymarked reproduction parts. Minor parts includetrim pieces like headlights, whistles, hand rails,pantographs, couplers, wheels and wiring.Frames, cabs, steam chests, engine and tenderbodies, motors, etc. are not considered minorparts.

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The aftermarket addition of the decal on the leftside of this otherwise C-7 car makes it no longer100% original and reduces the grade to C-6.

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The grade of the piece is lowered due to missinghandrail and side step. C-6

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This nice black 42 is not complete or 100% original due to the missing step and the loss of rubber stamped lettering. C-6

The fine lines under the black are consideredrust of the metal under the painted finish. C-6

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Minor scratches and light surface

rust on plated parts. C-6

Minor but numerous nicks on non-prominentparts of this car. C-6

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Minor nicks on prominent area of car. C-6

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Distortion of component parts – framecasting has expanded but is still solid. C-6

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Distortion of component parts – framecasting has disintegrated. C-6

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C-5 Good - Signs of play wear withscratches and minor paint loss. Smalldents, minor surface rust. Evidenceof heavy use.

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The finish on items meeting this grade can shownoticeable scratches and nicks in prominent areasplus dirt, grime and other flaws that are morepronounced than allowed in C-6. The item canhave areas with actual paint loss from flaking orother damage.

There can be small dents in the metal parts andsome slight rust on plated parts or under paintedsurfaces.

Generally items meeting this grade show signs ofheavy use.

Major noticeable scratch on prominentside of car. C-5

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Crazing or cracking of a painted finish. Canlead to paint flaking. C-5

Crazing or cracking of a paintedfinish. Can lead to paint flaking. C-5

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Flaking paint in prominent areas. C-5

Flaking paint in prominent areas. C-5

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Flaking paint in prominent areas –over tin plated metal. C-5

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Flaking paint in prominent areapreserved with clear coat. C-5

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Faded painted finish is considered aspaint loss. C-5

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C-4 Fair - Scratches, moderate paintloss, dented missing parts, surfacerust. Evidence of heavy use.

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This grade would show obvious signs of wear,dirt, grime, use and abuse.

The finish can be dirty, well worn and show lossof paint in prominent areas.

There can be dents in the metal, major partsmissing or replaced with properly markedreproduction parts and there can be obvioussurface rust. Major parts are those that if missingseriously detract from the appearance of anitem. Included are frames, cabs, bodies, motors,etc.

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This station shows moderate loss of paint on theprominent window and roof edge areas. C-4

Significant nicks and scratches. C-4

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Obvious signs of wear, dirt, grime, use and

abuse, surface rust, repainted roof. C-4

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C-3 Poor - Requires major bodyrepair. Heavily scratched, major rustand missing parts. Restorationcandidate.

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Items meeting this grade are of low collectorquality.

The finish is significantly distressed showingprominent scratches, nicks, dirt and otherdamage.

Sheet metal parts can be dented with majorrepair work needed.

Rust can be prominent and may have causedpitting in the metal.

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Major wear to the finish, body damage, rust. C-3

Paint finish shows heavy signs of play wear.But due to rare color, piece still has significantcollector value despite condition. C-3

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C-2 Restoration required

C-1 Junk, parts value only

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Items in these grades are of low collector valueexcept for total restoration or for parts to fixbetter items. A factor that may be considered inthese grades is the rarity of the item beinggraded. A very rare item may have greatercollector interest and be worthy of saving muchmore than a common item.

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This Lionel #11 flat car would normally be a primecandidate for total restoration. However, the unusualadditional original rubber stamping on the bottommakes it worthy of preservation as an oddity.

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Despite great care by the owner toprotect the engine while in storage,dampness caused significant rust. C-2

This poorly repainted set is complete andneeds little body work, making it acandidate for an easy restoration. C-2

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General comments and guidance

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Use of the grading standards is subjective at best.It is important and logical that wishful thinkingnot be allowed to influence the choice of grade. Itis the nature of the market for a seller to see anitem in a very positive light and to assign themost favorable description while a buyer may seethe item in a less favorable light.

When evaluating the significance of scratches andnicks on an item, not only the size of these flawsmust be considered but also the location on theitem and their size in relation to the item’s size.

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The proper determination of an item’s originalityand authenticity is critical to these standards. Itcan be a very difficult determination to make andrequires an experienced and knowledgeableindividual. Close examination of the finishcomparing colors, textures, patina, and otherdetails is necessary. If the paint finish on an itemhas been touched up its grade cannot be higherthan C-6; many collectors feel that touching up anitem could never improve the grade and mayactually lower the grade.

Believed to be factory paint touch-upcommon on many 392 tenders.

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Knowledgeable Standards Committee membersare available at every TCA-sponsored train meetto assist members on questions of originality,authenticity, and condition by offering relevantopinions.

When considering a non-person-to-persontransaction such as through the TCAInterchange or the internet, a written narrativethat details the condition of an item and itsflaws should be provided. Statements claimingthat “Photos describe condition” should betaken with extreme caution.

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There can be items that will require some degreeof disassembly in order to offer an accurategrading opinion. While these standardsspecifically exclude the operating functionality ofan item, parts needed for operation (such asinternal motor parts) are not excluded from thestandards for completeness and originality.

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When a Standards Committee member is asked for anopinion on an item, he/she may need to handle theitem in order to properly examine it. It is of utmostimportance that the committee member handles theitem with extreme care and respect. Remember thatyour actions represent the TCA. Neither theAssociation nor an individual committee member canrisk liability associated with accidental damage.

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Proceed with the same care for a C-1 item as fora C-10 item. If possible, sit down at a table thatis covered with a soft towel or blanket. If youneed to pick up the item, hold it over the table ata minimum height off the table. Beware of loosepieces that might fall off. Always use both handsto lift an item. Place hands on the items instrategic locations (such as ends rather than thesides) so as to minimize handprints or damage tothe finish. Handle the item as little as possibleand return possession to the owner quickly.

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Prepared by the Train Collectors Association

National Standards Committee October 2008

Robert C. Robinson, Chairman