As far as scanning goes, does your scanner software let you preview the scan and then choose the area that it actually scans? Some of these scanners will automatically balance the color and brightness once you narrow down the area you want to scan. I don't know if this will remove the colored horizontal stripes you're getting on your Rail City card, though.

Yes Mark, I can crop it but the streaks are still there and the color is not actual--like its faded.

paul