@CAPPilot posted:No. I belong to several model and prototype train organizations for the sole purpose of supporting them
Truth be told, I'm with CAPPilot. I joined the TCA, and a good many other hobby-related organizations, primarily as a way of supporting the overall hobby in some small way. Participating at the York Meet was, and is, certainly an advantage--a big one--but I also enjoy the TCA Magazine and the TCA Museum, as well.
I joined to try to learn about my childhood trains, and to discover what l never had and did not know existed. That goal was achieved. The friends l made with similar interests ...unfortunately one has passed, and l have stopped making the the long monthly trip to a show that seemed more shrinking and picked over. I guess l went for the trains. That applies to me for York. I want to see new and different and don't feel that has been true for several years. I hope something happens to rejuvenate the hobby. The loss of the several makers is scary.
My TCA interest has nothing to do with York.
The first couple of meets that I went to (New England Division) I was just part of the public paying admission. Then I joined TCA in 2014, for more than one reason.
I found that it was a group that I wanted to be with and that should be supported.
I had offered to set up an operating layout so that members could show off their own trains to other members in operating. So they gave me four tables and I was allowed to have my own stuff for sale without paying a table fee. See http://www.netca.org/Operation%20at%20Meet.html
When they didn't have room for that, I paid the $25 for a table just to have a home base while I wandered around - mainly social interaction with an occasional buy where I could get good at a very low price - I a big fan of the junk boxes under that table.
I also have test tacks set up for O, O-27, S and Standard. The Standard gauge track is powered with an Ives 1288 transformer - to get 24 volts.
So the annul $50 is supporting a very useful activity. I've never gone to York and probably never will. When I add up the expenses for getting there comfortably and staying and eating in reasonable places, it's at least $700. I have many things I can do with that money that sum to much more pleasure than two days at York could.
No, York was just a side benefit, the main for me was to become part of the Midwest Division Modular group so I could run my larger engines/trains. I did not know anyone and now consider many of them friends that I could call in an emergency and know someone would be there for me... and that far exceeded the price of admission.
Charlie
I joined after attending York as a guest in 1989 then moved to OKC. Upon moving to PA in 1990 I continued my membership for almost ten years but it seemed the TCA was more for a Lionel Purest Collector and I was am operator and was operating most MTH products. After joining this forum around 2010 I have considered rejoining the TCA but not sure if the cost is worth what return I would receive. I lost interest in their publication but know that I have more time and can afford to invest more in the hobby I am reconsidering again. As I stated in another post "York" I attended the show twice a year as a member working tables for friends and had a great time. Now with some of the friends I have meet here I am looking forward to attending the show, but not for the show but to attended th outside events such as the breakfast and met the folks I have meet her virtually. Somewhere I may even have some of my badges.
Sorry for the novice question, but can one just join the TCA? I wanted to join but was turned off by the language on their website about applying and going through an approval process. I think joining and being a part of a local chapter would be good, but the language on the tca site makes it seem like too much effort to join a hobby group with the language of being approved, punishment for complaints, etcetera.
@Keith Crook 020419 posted:Sorry for the novice question, but can one just join the TCA? I wanted to join but was turned off by the language on their website about applying and going through an approval process. I think joining and being a part of a local chapter would be good, but the language on the tca site makes it seem like too much effort to join a hobby group with the language of being approved, punishment for complaints, etcetera.
Yes, anyone can join. No more "2 signatures" needed. You are still "applying", but you are basically a member.
Your name appears as an "applicant for membership" for I think 3 printings of the Headquarters News. The idea behind that is in case someone who has a history of doing bad deals were to try to join, other members could flag the application for review. (I'm not going to pretend to know that whole process, but that's the gist. Basically if you are not in the habit of screwing people over, you have nothing to worry about. Your application will have no issues, and you are a member in good standing while all this is happening.)
Similarly, one of the TCA benefits to members is to act as a mediator if necessary between members if any dispute does come up (thought it's encouraged to not make "log a formal complaint" the first course of action if some dispute does come up, it's more of a "we tried, but are at an impasse" last resort type of thing). See the comment on the application process. If you don't plan on screwing people over, you will not likely get any complaints, and there is nothing to it that you should consider "too much work". Be honest, understand the grading information that is on the web site, and represent things as they should be represented, and you should have no issues.
-Dave
Thanks @Dave45681 for clarifying. I’m not in the habit of screwing anyone, just want to meet like-minded folks in my area and want to go to meets. Thanks again.
I joined in 1976 and living in CA that meant a long trip to York but I went to the TCA Norcal meets for about 25 years then moved away from SF and finally made my 1st of 4 Yorks in 2010.The TTOS is diminishing in activities so I May drop them as the Sac Division is full of Drama.
I joined TCA when they did away with the ridiculous two sponsor requirement and like Groucho should never have joined a club that would have me as a member. Other than York the TCA does nothing for me which is why I dropped my membership earlier this year. Although I miss (I kid) reading about the 4,875th amendment to the TCA bylaws.
Yes, I joined TCA just so I could go to York.
Neal Jeter
I initially joined TCA in 1989 so that I could attend local meets, which were huge at the time. Shortly thereafter, I discovered York and have gone on-and-off since then. I rarely buy special-issue cars and have little interest in attending conventions.
Local TCA meets have pretty much dried up over the past 10 years or so; most of the meets / shows I attend are not run by TCA.
By going to York, I discovered the museum and library - these are tremendous resources that deserve to be supported. Between the magazine, museum, and library, I've learned things and seen trains that I never would have otherwise.
Along the way, I've met like-minded individuals and joined a club. Don't know if this would have happened had I not joined TCA.
I strongly believe that all of us who enjoy trains should belong to and support an organization that promotes the hobby, whether it's TCA, LCCA, TTOS, LOTS, or NMRA. We owe it to each other and to future enthusiasts.
For less than the price of a boxcar, a TCA membership supports meets, archives, grading and trading standards, and publications - I have no plans to cancel.
I too joined to go to York. But it was after I moved to NC. Belonging enabled me to make new friends and have a great time enjoying this hobby! BTW I just renewed my TCA membership today! Looking forward to York in April 2021!
Did I join the tca to go to York, yes in 1984. I have to rejoin sometime this year beings I let it lapse this year.
Dave
Yep.
I thought the "two signature" rule was for vetting people for use of personal checks in the pre-credit card usage days. My gun club has a 2 signature rule plus 3 hours of safety training. If you find that too difficult, we don't want you.
Yes, I find that the TCA ,while being a great organization, is more focused on Pre-war trains which I do not collect. I find that the LCCA is more suited to my railroad related needs.
@Joe Hohmann posted:I thought the "two signature" rule was for vetting people for use of personal checks in the pre-credit card usage days.
It seems contradicting. Come join our club and make lifelong friends... Just make sure you already have two friends who can sponsor you first.
@Joe Hohmann posted:I thought the "two signature" rule was for vetting people for use of personal checks in the pre-credit card usage days. My gun club has a 2 signature rule plus 3 hours of safety training. If you find that too difficult, we don't want you.
It probably was. In that regard it would have still served a purpose. While there may be a few members (not dealers) taking credit cards, I'd guess it's less than 10% if you walk all the halls. Mostly people who have regular CC processing set up for their "in real life" business (so they've already got the infrastructure without it costing them a lot to set up for train transactions), or some who take "Square" or doing Paypal live on the spot, etc.
Agreed the 2 sig rule was holding things back. Though it's elimination did not spur the mass joining by those who found it vexing. (nor did the change on the cell phone rule at York, etc. Each just bubbles the "next gripe down the list" to the top once removed.). 
-Dave
I joined the TCA because of my interest in trains, not to go to any specific show. I think that the founding members of the TCA would think this topic a joke, as the TCA was founded in 1953 or 54?, several years before the first York show. They certainly did not join to go to York, but rather to share an interest in trains.
As for York, I certainly have enjoyed going to it and the 2 TCA conventions that I have attended, but my remaining a member of the TCA has nothing to do with if a certain train show or convention happens. I have met a number of great people through the TCA, some of which have passed on, and others who still remain with us. I enjoy going to York, not only with the hope to find something special, but to meet up with the many friends that I have met over the years, to meet new people who share the same interests, and enjoy some fresh seafood. I have also enjoyed meeting with and seeing many different member's layouts and collections, many of which are of different interests than my own, so it is always a learning experience to see another's collection and gain some new knowledge about trains.
Did I miss not being able to go to York this year, yes, but it is not the end of the world and will not be the end of the TCA. The TCA offers many benefits, such as the ability to gain and share knowledge through the TCA Quarterly and E-Train, the museum and library, which is a great resource that I have used many times, and the many great members.
For those who simply joined to go to York, you are missing out on a lot if that is the sole reason for your TCA membership.
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