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October 18, 1954, The Train Collectors Association (TCA) was founded in Yardley, Pennsylvania by a group of collectors and toy train enthusiasts. The first meeting was held in the barn of noted rail historian Ed Alexander.

 

Cheers.

 

I think the Atlantic division summarizes the history quite nicely on their web site;

 

A Brief History of the TCA 

The Need

By the mid-20th century, a number of people had become fascinated by the broad range of old toy trains that were being discovered as trade-ins or at second-hand sales. As they began to acquire them, questions arose as to identification, variations, the need for parts and the need to make contact with others also “collecting” the old toy trains.

Early Organizing Efforts

As early as 1937, Louis Hertz had published a series of articles in Model Craftsman magazine on tinplate trains that stirred interest but did not provide for contact between interested collectors. An effort to create the National Tinplate Railroad Association then was followed by Burton Logan and Lou Hertz trying to form the National Tinplate Historical Society in 1944. Unfortunately, these early attempts did not meet with success. The Standard Gauge Association, devoted to operating that gauge more so than collecting, came into being in 1947, but ended after a few years.

Founding Members meeting in Ed Alexander's Barn, June 1954

Founding Members meeting in Ed Alexander’s Barn, June 1954

Founding Action

In 1954, Bill Krames (owner of the Trenton, New Jersey Hobby Center) and Edwin P. Alexander (author of a number of railroad history books and a professional model-maker) issued invitations to collectors to meet at Alexander’s Train Barn at Yardley, Pennsylvania on June 19 and 20. This meeting–and the interest aroused during the following months–resulted in another call for collectors to meet October 17 to form an organization.

Western Division Founders, 1954.

Western Division Founders, 1954.

Across the Continent

Meanwhile, in Southern California, in September of that year, Evan Middleton (operator of the Train Shop at Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, California) called together collectors who then met and formed the Western Chapter, later redefined as a division of what was to become a national organization.

Organization Commences

The result of these two meetings was the formation of the Train Collectors Association. Burton Logan was unanimously elected the first president of TCA, with Evan Middleton as vice president and Lou Redman as secretary-treasurer and editor of the Quarterly. Lou Redman became the long-range determined organizer of the Association, recognized as “Mr. TCA” for his dedication by the BOD in 1984.

The purposes of the TCA are to further the hobby of collecting tinplate trains by publishing information for collectors, establishing standards on descriptions and valuations and promoting train meetings, and to provide for the interchange of ideas and information between collectors. Although the name of the Association was adopted at the October 1954 meeting, adoption of the bylaws and creation of the newsletter was deferred until other known collectors could signify their intention of becoming members. December 10, 1954 was set as the deadline. Of the known collectors, 68 became “Founding” Charter Members.

Incorporation of the Association was deemed appropriate in 1956, in light of its continuing growth. With the bylaws amended to conform to the non-profit corporation law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the decree of incorporation was handed down by the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County at Pittsburgh in March 1957. In conjunction with the incorporation, all 179 of the TCA members at that time were designated as Charter Members of the Association.

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If you examine the membership barometer; reality is that the TCA is losing about 200+ members per month. With the exorbitant 40% dues increase this year management has all but assured, that the trend will accelerate. The membership is now a poor value. I've been a member since 1979 and this is my final year. At the loss of membership at 2500 per year (current actual number) it won't be long before TCA is completely irrelevant. 

They need us; we don't need them. I'd still like to attend York and support the ED (and the forum sponsors when they are there)  but if that's the way the game needs to be played so be it.

 

 

Last edited by Dennis LaGrua

A close friend, very active in the TCA, told me last spring that at that time the membership was down 20%.  What it is now I haven't asked. 

 

It looks to me like the TCA has shot itself in a sensitive place, all for very little.

 

If we, for example, consider a membership of 1000 paying the old dues if $35 then the yearly income is $35000.  Boosting the dues to $50 would bring in $50000.  But, the membership declined by 20% down to 800.  The $50 dues now bring in only $40000, a 5000 increase!  If the membership decline is now 25% then the yearly income is only $37500, an increase of 2500!

 

It appears to me that the museum is still in dire straits and might have to go after all.

 

Does anyone in the TCA have the latest decrease percentage?

 

Tony




quote:
The membership is now a poor value.




 

To each his own.

I enjoy my TCA membership, and do not foresee giving it up.

IMHO, if TCA membership was a good value at $35, then it is still a good value at $50. In my area fifteen dollars will purchase lunch for two at a fast food place like Burger King.

What does a single piece of Fastrack cost, or a new piece of rolling stock?

 

Well, of course the total membership count is decreasing.  That is inevitable as the train-oriented population--those actively engaged in the hobby and willing to support the hobby--ages and eventually departs the scene.  Simple demographics.

 

But this is not unique to the TCA.  The NMRA has the same issue to deal with.  Truth be told, it's also by no means unique to other hobbies as well, as younger generations become increasing disconnected from truly creative leisure time activities.

 

I value my TCA membership (as well as my NMRA membership).  These are the two largest organizations devoted to the broad spectrum that makes up our hobby.  I have no problem supporting these organizations to the extent possible in my own circumstances, and I most certainly don't have a problem with the $50 annual dues.  Let's get real here people!  If $50 a year is a deal breaker for you when it comes to supporting, sharing, and promoting the hobby, perhaps you need to consider pursuing some other interest.

 

I'm glad there actually is a TCA, and even though the organization, like many others, is caught in the confluence of changing demographics and still uncertain economic times and demands, I hope they continue to adjust and adapt so they will be with us for a long time to come.  It's easy for an individual to state "I don't need it because it doesn't do anything for me."  Very true, I suppose, if your only interest is in yourself.

 

Happy Birthday TCA!  And thanks!

Last edited by Allan Miller

Happy Birthday, TCA - my thanks for 30 years of membership, Quarterlies, conventions, and other benefits, and hopefully many more years to come.

 

Jim

 

Just an observation: Anyone else think it's sort of bad taste to intrude on a congratuatory thread with comments to the effect of "I don't like the way you do things"? It's sort of like saying "Happy Birthday, Joe. You know you did a terrible job with your lawn this summer" .

 

Nothing wrong with criticism, but maybe keeping it in another thread would have been classier.

 

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