I did not originally join for York but over the years, York is why I continued to be a member. I just let my membership lapse 2 days ago as to me the cost of membership is not worth it without the York meet. Once York starts back up, I'll rejoin. I will state this - if they had a $25 membership option with no York I would join to support in years there is no Meet. Your mileage may vary.
-Greg
Sadly I find no value in a TCA membership. The organization is stuck in the past. I'm not into prewar, post war or anything pre 2000. The quarterly is boring, the insurance is over priced, nothing has ever interest me at the chapter meets. York is the only reason to join in my opinion but since I never find any diamonds in the ruff in the member halls and the dealer halls are open to the public, what's the point of joining period????
100% for the access to York, when I first got access to the TCA site I was a bit disappointed. I think the market place is a bit of a hot mess. I would love to buy and sell trains there but it's so unpleasant to work with, and no real search. Can some one's kid just re-do it on square space? I agree the publication also leaves much to be desired.
I joined the TCA in 1994 to go to York. Went every year through 2018, then stopped. I dropped my TCA membership this year.
2013 and still in only for York.
I purchased my membership because I felt a need to show support for the hobby, and for the TCA - it's kind of a revered institution to me.
Never been to York, at least not yet!
Originally yes, but then as a means of supporting the hobby.
Jerry
When I first got back into the hobby in the late 90’s I didn’t know anyone else interested in trains. I found out about York through the pages of OGR so I decided to join the TCA so I could go to York and hopefully make some friends in the hobby. I did eventually make friends in the hobby and I have enjoyed the times I have gone to York. Meeting friends there always makes the meet more enjoyable. Also on at least 4 occasions going to York has saved me a significant amount of shipping on certain items which completely or almost completely covered my dues for that year. Recently when I had an issue with a vendor at York the TCA really went to bat for me to resolve the situation. I couldn’t be happier with the TCA.
My one criticism is I wish the Quarterly had a little more space on scale trains and model railroading but I guess they go with what is available or sent to them. I understand it is the Train “Collectors” Association but in this day and age there are a lot of operators.
In closing it is my opinion that the TCA is well worth the $4.17 a month that I pay them.
pretty much ........yes
I originally joined TCA to go to York in 2005, but that was just a start of my adventures with all the great individuals I met over the years. I started getting involved with the local shows and had a desire to do more then just going to the shows. The greatest joy I get in the hobby comes from working with the Ft Pitt Kids Club. I just love seeing the joy young people get from watching and sometimes running the trains. As a club member, and currently the Secretary of the Ft Pitt Division, I have never thought of not being a member and only hope others will continue to support the TCA. Our board members continue to look for ways to give our members value from their membership. It has been a difficult year just waiting for when we can get together for meets and all the other activities we did in the past. I am thankful to all our local members and their continued support of the TCA and the Ft Pitt Division . Our website hobbytraincollectors.org lets everyone know what is currently happening with the division along with some interesting articles from our online news letter.
york!
Used to go every show every year in the early '90's when I was building and the social exposure was great, however nothing got done on the layout while I was gone. I have a rather busy weekly schedule so, in losing a Friday once or twice a year, York lost it's appeal to me.
I now buy the membership every 3 or 4 years just to go to York however on the way home, I usually regret losing a work day.
There is really not that much different to me from show to show.
Another issue of "Toy" Train Collectors Quarterly showed up today and promptly found the recycle bin after 15 minutes of browsing.
In the past I would not care if my segment of the hobby was not represented... because I just focused on York.
But now with two missed York shows and an uncertain future, I feel as if the dues for this year was just a waste.
My membership expires just before the next scheduled show. I wrote to them and asked for an extension since I did not receive the full (and only) benefit of my membership. I received a scathing response that not only said no, but then proceeded to tell me I should be donating more money to help them out.
Huh?
Is anyone else frustrated with this organization and want to do something about it? Feel free to contact me. Email is in my profile.
Ron
Joined to visit York. No interest in the publication.
I joined because of the focus on the history of toy trains from Lionel and American Flyer. I don’t look at the TCA as a source of information for modern O gauge trains, just “toy” trains.
Joined for York. Remain because it represents my interests and I like to do my part.
@Ron045 posted:
Is anyone else frustrated with this organization and want to do something about it? Feel free to contact me. Email is in my profile.
I'm not frustrated at all. Of all the organizations I belong to, they seem to be better run than most (a rocketry organization I belong to is in absolute chaos). TCA's magazine does lean towards the "Toy" aspect of their name, which has little appeal to me. But it does provide me with good info for when I talk to my toy train friends
This has been a terrible year for all social and service organizations. For example, Civil Air Patrol has lost many members due to lack of activities, as well as a local train club I belong to. I'm not going to bail on TCA because the pandemic has limited their ability to support the hobby, because in a normal year they do a lot for the hobby and I support them for that.
York is not a TCA event, it is a chapter run event. And I fully support Eastern Division's decision to cancel both of this year's shows. I really hope next year will be better, because I always got great deals at York. Plus I miss seeing friends. However, York is not the reason I will stay a TCA member.
@Ron045 posted:...My membership expires just before the next scheduled show. I wrote to them and asked for an extension since I did not receive the full (and only) benefit of my membership. I received a scathing response that not only said no, but then proceeded to tell me I should be donating more money to help them out...
In essence, you want to hold TCA liable for being unable to hold the York meet due to circumstances beyond their control, and punish them financially? In these unusual times, many organizations are facing financial shortfalls - helping them to go broke faster helps nobody.
And as for the Quarterly not addressing your interests, the publication is only as good as the content that is provided by members - have you offered to write an article?
Most divisions and chapters are dying for people to step up and take leadership positions and provide initiative. How many of the naysayers have offered to step up and do something other than complain?
So many of the replies to this thread focus on "what's in it for me?" rather than "how can I contribute to the success of the organization and the hobby I love?" - it's a sad commentary on our society.
@Mallard4468 posted:In essence, you want to hold TCA liable for being unable to hold the York meet due to circumstances beyond their control, and punish them financially?
Just like everything else in life. I paid for something. I expect to receive what I paid for. If I can't receive what I paid for it reasonable to expect some restitution of some sort.
If someone took your money and gave you nothing in return... you'd be ok with that?
@Ron045 posted:Just like everything else in life. I paid for something. I expect to receive what I paid for. If I can't receive what I paid for it reasonable to expect some restitution of some sort.
If someone took your money and gave you nothing in return... you'd be ok with that?
Aside from presumably one outstanding admission to York (assuming you had pre-registered for April 2020), you have gotten what you paid for. (And Eastern Division TCA has said that all pre-registrations from April 2020 will be honored the next time there is a York meet.)
You voluntarily signed up for TCA National in order to be able to attend the York meet as a TCA Member when offered by the EDTCA.
The York Meet admission is a totally separate item from the TCA National dues, whether you like what the TCA National dues deliver for you (outside of being your pathway to being able to purchase York meet admission as a Member) or not.
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