Took the big leap today and called the TCA office about joining the organization. I was amazed they knew I belonged years ago so now I am just renewing my old membership. Very cool. #87-25227
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Welcome back into the fold !!!! 
Do they still charge extra to reactivate an old TCA membership? I originally joined the TCA around 2005, let it lapse some years later and when I went to rejoin in 2014 if was something like a $100 charge to reactivate an old TCA number vs. just create a new one (which I did!)
Jim, Glad to hear you rejoined! I won't say Welcome BACK, since in '87 I was in the NMRA building my most ambitious N-scale layout.
Definitely rejoin/join TCA but keep posting here, their yahoo site is a train wreck. too many "experts" and too much politics and off-topic crap. I would guess less than 30 people post there on a regular basis. You can't get a word in edgewise.
I rejoined after too long of an absence. I'm now a board member at Fort Pitt Division, Inc. I believe something has been done about the re-up fee for your old number...maybe someone else can clarify this issue. Welcome back!!!!
Definitely rejoin/join TCA but keep posting here, their yahoo site is a train wreck. too many "experts" and too much politics and off-topic crap. I would guess less than 30 people post there on a regular basis. You can't get a word in edgewise.
I didn't know the TCA had a Yahoo site.
I remember an email list server.
Josephs daily piece on train history alone is worth reading the Yahoo forum. Like all the Yahoo groups, many members left when they changed to the new, improved NEO format that really sucks.
Steve
The TCA doesn't have a forum on Yahoo. Ed TCA77-
SJC posted:Do they still charge extra to reactivate an old TCA membership? I originally joined the TCA around 2005, let it lapse some years later and when I went to rejoin in 2014 if was something like a $100 charge to reactivate an old TCA number vs. just create a new one (which I did!)
Talk to Amy Fry at York or after york. You can have your old number now without paying extra money. She is really good.
No charge to re-up !! I am glad to be back and plan to dwell on the positives !! Thanks to all
eddie g posted:The TCA doesn't have a forum on Yahoo. Ed TCA77-
I thought this was the TCA Yahoo forum?
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/toytrains/info
Regards
Fred
Jim O'C posted:
The forum you are referencing here is not an official TCA sanctioned group. It exists completely out of TCA and is used by many to take shots at TCA for various reasons, most of which are invalid.
TCA's listserv is hosted by Yahoo and you can join it through the TCA official website. What you will find there are some extremely knowledgeable people who care a great deal more about the trains than any other issue. It is moderated heavily to keep it on topic. I enjoy it and contribute when I have something worthwhile to talk about.
TCA voted several years back to eliminate the "penalty" for getting your old number back. It was an archaic rule from the days when TCA numbers mattered for those with a low number. Now that most members have the 5 digits it simply isn't a big deal. It was a welcome change as TCA continues to remove barriers to membership rather than add them.
GG1 4877 posted:Jim O'C posted:The forum you are referencing here is not an official TCA sanctioned group. It exists completely out of TCA and is used by many to take shots at TCA for various reasons, most of which are invalid.
TCA's listserv is hosted by Yahoo and you can join it through the TCA official website. What you will find there are some extremely knowledgeable people who care a great deal more about the trains than any other issue. It is moderated heavily to keep it on topic. I enjoy it and contribute when I have something worthwhile to talk about.
TCA voted several years back to eliminate the "penalty" for getting your old number back. It was an archaic rule from the days when TCA numbers mattered for those with a low number. Now that most members have the 5 digits it simply isn't a big deal. It was a welcome change as TCA continues to remove barriers to membership rather than add them.
thank you for the clarification. So I can tell Charlie Easton to KMA?
Jim O'C posted:thank you for the clarification. So I can tell Charlie Easton to KMA?
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Be careful what you wish for. 
Jim O'C posted:GG1 4877 posted:Jim O'C posted:The forum you are referencing here is not an official TCA sanctioned group. It exists completely out of TCA and is used by many to take shots at TCA for various reasons, most of which are invalid.
TCA's listserv is hosted by Yahoo and you can join it through the TCA official website. What you will find there are some extremely knowledgeable people who care a great deal more about the trains than any other issue. It is moderated heavily to keep it on topic. I enjoy it and contribute when I have something worthwhile to talk about.
TCA voted several years back to eliminate the "penalty" for getting your old number back. It was an archaic rule from the days when TCA numbers mattered for those with a low number. Now that most members have the 5 digits it simply isn't a big deal. It was a welcome change as TCA continues to remove barriers to membership rather than add them.
thank you for the clarification. So I can tell Charlie Easton to KMA?
Tell him nicely, I like Charlie.
Steve
aussteve posted:SJC posted:Do they still charge extra to reactivate an old TCA membership? I originally joined the TCA around 2005, let it lapse some years later and when I went to rejoin in 2014 if was something like a $100 charge to reactivate an old TCA number vs. just create a new one (which I did!)
Talk to Amy Fry at York or after york. You can have your old number now without paying extra money. She is really good.
Well that is good for new folks, but sucks for me. I had to pay hundreds of dollars some years ago to keep my old four digit number from 1972. At that time, you had to pay full price for every year you missed. Happy for everyone now, but bummed for myself. 
Got my old number after several years of non membership. No extra charge, thanks TCA
I was first a member during the 1980s, then re-joined in 2005. At least at the time, they were charging a fair amount to let you keep your old number. I could not think of any reason to pay $$ to do so.
Jim, Welcome back...... enjoy
Jesse 12-68275
Good to hear they dropped that ridiculous fee. I certainly never paid it, I'll take a new number. Hell, I don't even know what my TCA number is without looking.....
RoyBoy posted:aussteve posted:SJC posted:Do they still charge extra to reactivate an old TCA membership? I originally joined the TCA around 2005, let it lapse some years later and when I went to rejoin in 2014 if was something like a $100 charge to reactivate an old TCA number vs. just create a new one (which I did!)
Talk to Amy Fry at York or after york. You can have your old number now without paying extra money. She is really good.
Well that is good for new folks, but sucks for me. I had to pay hundreds of dollars some years ago to keep my old four digit number from 1972. At that time, you had to pay full price for every years you missed. Happy for everyone now, but bummed for myself.
An organization should never allow you to "purchase" your old membership number as that implies continuity of membership from a certain time. And I'd ask for a refund if I were you!
Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:Jim O'C posted:thank you for the clarification. So I can tell Charlie Easton to KMA?
Tell him nicely, I like Charlie.
Steve
He is like an onion, once you peel away the angst, he is pretty knowledgeable.
I first joined in 1974 and remained a member until 1984 when I left Lionel O Gauge for G Gauge. Later in 1991 I rejoined but did not want to pay the "penalty fee" to get my old number so I am 91-33599. A total of 36 years!
TCA changed their policy regarding your old member number 2 years ago. As a current member it is also possible to reacquire your old number at no charge. I originally joined in 1958 and last was a member in 1964. When I rejoined TCA in 1991 I accepted the new number, but 2 years ago, I was able to change to my old #58-307 at no charge. If you call the TCA business office they will assist you.
Eric Hofberg
TCA, LCCA
Eric: THANK YOU for the info! I have had the new number for so long, I will probably just keep it :-)
I was just reflecting earlier this week when I received my new TCA membership card in the mail that next year will be my 40th year as a TCA member. That's 70% of my life time, all well spent.
Jim Pastorius, it's good to have you back.
Steven J. Serenska
TCA : 78-13181
Welcome back! Did you miss the convention this past June in Pittsburgh? If so, York is just around the corner, and the '18 Convention is in Rhode Island, hope you get to enjoy some of the events that make the membership worthwhile!
Tim
#02-54465
Hah !! I anticipated the Pgh TCA convention for over a year but moved to Raleigh in May !!
