Did you join the TCA for the strict benefit of going to train meets (shows)

I joined the Mid-West Tool Collectors just to buy user grade wood working hand tools but discovered there was so much more.  I suspect TCA will be the same.  I've been to York as a guest of a member, my brother.  Wow.  It was like toy train heaven.  Being at the meeting under the bleachers when Rich announced his retirement was something special.  Almost all of my toy train experience has been in my own home, so the connection with other people made the hobby more "real" to me.  I have not joined national yet but the local chapter welcomed me anyway.  Only got to go to one meeting before Covid put it all on hold.  Even though I'm not interested in collecting the old stuff, the presentations still held my interest and I'll be back as soon a Covid is over.  (The second presentation at my first meeting was on the first train Lionel sold after WWII and its variations and theories about production.  I'm not going to buy one but it was fun to learn about and the next time I see one I'll appreciate it.)  A few other guys have said it.  Came for the trains and stayed for the people.

-Nathan Muenks

Back in the early 80s, when I was a single medical resident in Baltimore getting back into trains after a hiatus for school, I heard people at shows talking about the TCA and York. Yes, I joined in 83 to go to York (less than an hour from where I lived in Baltimore County)....but I have gotten so much more. Let me explain (sorry if I ramble).

I moved to Philly in 83 and stayed till mid 85. Philly was the hub of the very active Atlantic Division. I joined and got involved in their portable layout, where I met like-minded train enthusiasts, including a Mr Nick Ladd, who used to fascinate me with his knowledge of the industry.

In 1985, I moved to Richmond and joined a nephrology practice. I had gotten married and had a young family. I was back in the Eastern Division. The TCA provided me the Quarterly and access to York twice a year.....I am fortunate to have only missed twice since April 83.....

Then comes the internet and this wonderful Forum. I had already met Myron and Fred many times at York in the Yellow Hall......I feel very fortunate to have joined the Forum in August 2020....I was a "lone wolf" hobbiest who found participation easy to fit into my schedule. Then it happened....many of us realized we knew each other when we spoke about our York experiences. We started meeting at York ........and the York Trip has become a social event as well as a buying event....My TCA membership coupled with this Forum has given me good friends all over the country......

Yes, I originally joined to go to York, but I have received SO MUCH MORE......

Peter

I joined the TCA a "non Profit" to further my interest and experience with Toy Trains with the NETCA and Northern New England Divisions. I've meet a few old timers that Sponsored me and have helped along in the hobby. I went to York a few years ago and took the whole family/kids we had a blast in the Lancaster area too. That said I might donate a larger sum of money to keep the TCA organization alive for future generations to enjoy which means - my donation wold be worth much more than a TCA ED York Show ticket. I'm not wealthy financially but wealthy through the TCA friends I've meet. I can't imagine putting a cash 💵 number on the time (time is money) they helped me, and the ensuing friendships I've developed.  

@Seacoast posted:

I joined the TCA a "non Profit" to further my interest and experience with Toy Trains with the NETCA and Northern New England Divisions. I've meet a few old timers that Sponsored me and have helped along in the hobby. I went to York a few years ago and took the whole family/kids we had a blast in the Lancaster area too. That said I might donate a larger sum of money to keep the TCA organization alive for future generations to enjoy which means - my donation wold be worth much more than a TCA ED York Show ticket. I'm not wealthy financially but wealthy through the TCA friends I've meet. I can't imagine putting a cash 💵 number on the time (time is money) they helped me, and the ensuing friendships I've developed.  

Well put!

When there was a bunch of griping years ago when the annual dues went from $35 to $50 and some people moaned/groaned, etc and dropped out, I decided to try to help offest that "loss" a bit.  When I renew each year, I also include an additional donation equivalent to a couple of memberships for those people who dropped out over the $15 a year.  It's not a huge amount of money, but I figure it hopefully helps the organization I've gained so much from out a little bit.

-Dave

@eddie g posted:

BIGKID, You don't go to York, BIG MISTAKE if you are a train collector or operator. I don't know how you can judge YORK if you have never been there.

I don't know where you got the idea I was knocking York, all I said about York personally is I have never gone because I didn't have the time. I also said I personally didn't belong to TCA because where I am with trains didn't see a reason to belong (to TCA), I am not a collector and not sure if I would go to local events if a member, that's all, not knocking it, far from it, just giving my mindset.  I gave comments as an outsider that if most people see York as the reason for belonging to TCA then it may be wise for TCA leadership to figure out how to make it more than being about York to people and conversely for those who belong because of York that if they drop their membership to TCA it could mean York being  pulled, if my assumptions are correct, that's all.  I think both TCA and York are great things, just for where I have been and am for me personally they haven't been part of my train experience, that's all (and keep in mind I am not much of a joiner as a whole, it is mostly about me).

@rattler21 posted:

Does TCA have standards or guidelines for vendors at York?  If complaints are received about specific vendors are those vendors disciplined in any way?  john

Vendors (including dealers) must be TCA members, so the regular TCA standards and trading rules apply.  AFAIK, the complaint process is the same as for any other member.  ED requires tableholders to have trains on their table until 2pm Saturday.  By rule, the penalty is to be barred from having a table at the next meet; I don't know how rigorously that rule is enforced, since it's a ghost town by noon on Saturday anyway.

I joined TCA so I could go to York, as I had heard so much about it here in the forums. I had been to the museum several times before I joined, so it was nice to walk in as a member. At some point, I got a letter from the Atlantic Division, so I joined that as well. I try to attend all of the division shows, but never screwed up the courage to attend the social events.
I’ll admit I don’t get as much out of membership as I should, but that is my own danged fault. I’m pretty much a social cripple, so walking up and starting a conversation is beyond my skill set.

York

Joined in 1992 so I could go to York. My main focus the past few years there has been a social event. I have my April 2019 badge  for April 2020 which may not happen but we will see...

Pretty much joined to attend York meets. My membership has since lapsed as the trips back east were too costly. Things might change after I retire -- you never know.

Mine was a hard decision at renewal time.  I thought about past York Shows and our annual trip to Gettysburg.  I was lucky to have $52 bucks burning a hole in my pocket to renew Theresa and I.  This week with the great news about the vaccine and hopes for a breakaway spring, it makes me Chomping at the bit.  I joined TCA to attend, but reading about legends in our hobby passing and the news about Mike closing business, makes me more eager for York 21 in the fall.  I can say that I now renew to support the brother and sisterhood that reside here.  Let’s say hi at the breakfast and dinner.

I joined to meet Ron Hollander in the Yellow Hall. Then I met a few thousand other guys. Many have become life-long friends. I used to put away $500 plus expenses (gas, tolls, hotel, chow)  to spend at each York meet.  The cost of membership in TCA is minuscule compared to the total cost of the best two weekends I enjoy every year.

Basically yes,  however once I started to attend York I realized how important the association is for keeping our love for toy trains alive and well. Modern trains certainly have benefited as well. I will always remain a member.

For the first time since I joined I am examining the efficacy of remaining a TCA member. I originally joined for the privilege of attending YORK. Also, I paid my entry fee for YORK the first October it was closed due to Covid - never could reuse that pass, and never received compensation for it. A donation is one thing, but just taking my money is another.

I joined not so much for the opportunity to attend shows, but to connect with fellow collectors and expand my knowledge of vintage trains and accessories — something I look forward to in each new issue of The Quarterly.  I’ve joined (and left) other clubs over the years, but plan to keep my TCA membership active indefinitely.  

@Michael Hokkanen posted:

For the first time since I joined I am examining the efficacy of remaining a TCA member. I originally joined for the privilege of attending YORK. Also, I paid my entry fee for YORK the first October it was closed due to Covid - never could reuse that pass, and never received compensation for it. A donation is one thing, but just taking my money is another.

I thought that they offered a refund last year and you had to contact them if you wanted it.

@Michael Hokkanen posted:

For the first time since I joined I am examining the efficacy of remaining a TCA member. I originally joined for the privilege of attending YORK. Also, I paid my entry fee for YORK the first October it was closed due to Covid - never could reuse that pass, and never received compensation for it. A donation is one thing, but just taking my money is another.

As far as  I know they honored the passes from cancelled prior shows, when I was there this fall (my first), there were people with 2020 passes getting in as well as April 2021. Did you try contacting the EDTCA people and ask about a refund, if you decided you wouldn't use it again?

@Michael Hokkanen posted:

For the first time since I joined I am examining the efficacy of remaining a TCA member. I originally joined for the privilege of attending YORK. Also, I paid my entry fee for YORK the first October it was closed due to Covid - never could reuse that pass, and never received compensation for it. A donation is one thing, but just taking my money is another.

I used my 2020 Spring pass at the last York, no problem at all.  You could have most certainly reused the pass for the next York show that didn't fall victim to COVID.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I used my 2020 Spring pass at the last York, no problem at all.  You could have most certainly reused the pass for the next York show that didn't fall victim to COVID.

They honored my 2020 Spring pass too. No issues at all getting into any of the buildings.

I did finally join TCA to be able to go to York and other meets, and it was well worth it. Even if I don't go to meets, having the ability is nice and honestly the way I see it, if my membership helps keep the museum going and the library and keeps the organization going, even if I get no direct benefit from it (ie going to shows, buying stuff off the TCA website [which to me is still a mystery, plus I am not a collector]) I am all for it (and yes, I did donate more, I am fortunate I can be generous). If for some reason I couldn't go to York , had to bail, that 16 bucks to me meant that EDTCA could live to put on another York *shrug* (and please, this is not a criticism of anyone, this just is how I view things).

So do I still consider it worth it? Yep, because hopefully I am helping support a group I think has a really important purpose, like being a supporting member here. I enjoy reading the quarterly, and will occasionally browse the website, so I do get things out of it, I just don't see it as being entirely transactional.