Benefits in the Association are many and diverse. Highlights include:
Train Meets
The various Divisions and Chapters of the T.C.A. sponsor train meets where members may buy, sell, or trade trains, or just enjoy the fellowship of collecting. Over 150 of these are held each year. A schedule of these meets appears under News & Events on this site and in the National Headquarters News. Each June one of the Divisions hosts the Train Collectors Association's National Convention, which is one of the highlights of the year and provides an opportunity for fun-filled family vacations in various parts of the United States.
 The Train Collectors Quarterly
Members receive The Train Collectors Quarterly, a magazine dedicated to tinplate trains. Articles on the history of toy trains, and the firms who manufactured them make this one of the finest magazines in the collecting field. Members are urged to contribute articles for the magazine.
National Headquarters News
This periodical is also mailed to the members five times a year, and contains listings of the various Chapter and Division meets, names of new members, and other important information. The "Interchange Point" is part of the National Headquarters News and is the place where members list items they have for sale, trade, or want to buy.
 The T.C.A. Directory
Members at their option receive this Directory annually. It contains a geographical as well as an alphabetical listing of all members. Additionally, there is a section in which advertisements may be placed by members providing a toy train related product or service.
Collection Insurance
The Association, through an independent insurance agent, has available for members' consideration a plan through which they may insure their collection.
T.C.A. Credit Card
You can apply for the Train Collectors Association's no annual fee Visa credit card, which offers a low Annual Percentage Rate for members. (This link to apply requires a membership account.)
 Toy Train Reference Library
The Association is continuously updating the Library that is housed in the Museum and Headquarters Building. This Library is the most extensive resource center for researching tinplate toy train history. On file are catalogs, magazines and books devoted to toy trains from 1900 to the present. The Library also maintains copies of commercial price guides for a number of popular manufacturers, but does not provide appraisals or evaluations.
For more information about the Library, its hours, and how to visit it, go here.
Gift Shop
The National Toy Train Museum Gift Shop is stocked with toy train and railroad related items and has most of the current books on toy trains. Online purchases are available here.
National Toy Train Museum
The National Toy Train Museum, located in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, houses one of the finest collections of toy trains in the world. There are five operating layouts and a continuously running video. Displays are changed periodically. Members are admitted free to the museum and are encouraged to visit the museum. If a person desires to loan or donate a unique article to the Museum, they can do that as well.
We are certain that your collection of friends and trains will increase bountifully through your membership in
this great organization!
How to Join |
