There are some who argue that the TCA and the Eastern Division are somehow distinct. They may be in operating principles and organizational structure, but they both have a similar goal--the perpetuation of the hobby of trains. There is some cooperation between them for the TCA York event especially since TCA membership is a sine quo non for attending it in the first place. Can't they get together for the sake of the hobby to foster that goal without letting existing organizational structures impede it? I don't see why not. It is easy to look at this event parochially, suggesting that TCA members only need attend. But remember that you were a train buff long before you became a TCA member. We don't have that situation today. There is no reason to be a member if fewer younger people are getting into the hobby, even if you reduce the cost of membership. We have to get them into the hobby first and then maybe TCA membership will increase as well as attendance at events. In that regard, the TCA and/or the Eastern Division, or whomever has a role to play if it wants to. The suggestion to open up the event to the general public might not help you individually as an existing member looking at the situation in a self-serving manner, but it "may" help the hobby generally in the long run and could result in increased membership and attendance at events. It may not work, but it's worth a try instead of doing nothing and hoping for a better result when we all realize that it won't happen.
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