@CArolina Shagger posted:The Chief Seattle pictured was first produced, I believe, in 1971. The earlier locomotives had a brass tender which can be easily determined with a magnet.
As for zinc pest issues with McCoy, I think it is safe to say that anything McCoy cast is subject to zinc pest. Unfortunate but true.
Chris and David have done amazing work reproducing these parts using 3D printing. Since many of the cast parts are trim, using the 3D parts "as printed" work fine. Moving, or working parts require something more substantial. Hennings makes reproduction drivers and are the go-to guys for cast Standard Gauge parts. McCoy used an axle that was slightly larger than Lionel if memory serves (0.1875" vs 0.180") but my memory could be failing me. As Chris posted he went one step farther with his 3D printing having printed the pilot truck for his Chief Cle Elum then having it machined in aluminum.
As David correctly pointed out, we are all going to have a lot of money invested in these trains to make them fully operational again. In some cases maybe even more than we originally paid for them.
If you are considering purchasing any McCoy items, take into account the potential additional cost for replacing the cast items. I personally have not seen a circus wagon with intact original wheels in a long time. Buyer beware.
Don
Thank you 
It seems my tender is later the magnet test failed.
The front pilot truck on this engine is all metal not cast. So at least it is not prone to disintegrate 
