Brass, enamels. Elongated early type, 48.7 x 38.2 mm; weighs 16.9 g not including the screw plate. This is the second of the two early versions by the NKPS factory. It features less domed center medallion and more rounded font of the inscription.

In very fine to excellent condition, far better than the average for a Red Army "proficiency" badge of WW2 era, let alone one as scarce as Excellent Railway Trooper (rated 4 out of 5 for rarity in the Airapetyan's catalog). The enamel is generally well-preserved and shows a nice luster. There is only a single small area of surface flaking on the central medallion at approximately 8 o'clock, not very noticeable or detractive. There is also a minor amount of rubbing to the apex of the red star near the bottom and to the white band and some tiny contact marks elsewhere but no chips or any other significant damage. The raised details of the railroad insignia at the bottom, wreath, and the top scrolls are nicely preserved and crisp. The original silver plating on the reverse is still present in the recessed area around the screw post. The screw post is full length, over 12 mm, and includes the original wartime screw plate maker-marked "ShMZ NKPS".

/B. Airapetyan, Breast Badges of the Red Army, 1941-1945, p. 106 fig. 2/.