 Qualifications for Membership
We welcome new members! Any person who collects or operates tinplate trains (definition), who collects any items relating to tinplate trains, or professes a serious interest therein may apply for membership. Applicants for membership must file a membership application and must be recommended by two regular members. The member who signs the prospective member's application affirms to all other members the good character of the applicant.
Download the Application
It's available here. (PDF file, requires free Adobe Reader.)
Instructions for the completion of application:
All questions must be answered and form signed by TWO recommenders (sponsors who are TCA members in good standing) or application will be returned.
A $57 check must accompany this application. This fee includes a $25 nonrefundable application fee and $32 annual dues for twelve months. The annual dues includes a $4.50 subscription fee for the National Headquarters News, the five times a year members’ only publication.
This Application will be published for review by the entire membership in the National Headquarters News. Upon renewal of membership at the end of the probationary period, the National Business Office will issue a Regular Membership Card to replace the Probationary Membership Card issued when joining.
In the event that three members file written complaints against the probationary member, full membership is withheld until the National Membership Committee has considered the matter.
Please PRINT or TYPE all information.
Please mail your completed application, along with a check payable to Train Collectors Association, to:
Train Collectors Association
Department A
P. O. Box 248
Strasburg, PA 17579-0248
Need Help Locating Two Recommenders
or Determining Which Division Covers Your Area?
In order to complete your application, you will need two sponsors. If you don't know who in your area can help, just give us your email address and city, county, state, and zip code, and we will email back to you the name and address of your area's division secretary, who can also put you in contact with some potential sponsors. By including your county, we can advise which TCA division covers your area.
If you do not receive a reply from TCA within 5 working days, please contact us again. We want to be sure you're put in contact with a member. Thank you!
"Tinplate" is a term applied to toy trains originally built of thin stamped metal, but more broadly it includes plastic trains as well, their over-riding characteristic being that they were built for mass-market enjoyment rather than the precise scale that some of today's model railroad craftsmen build and enjoy. |
