TCA

[dennyblock]

I heard somewhere the TCA will have a convention in Burlington VT next year. Are these open to anyone or members only? Just when is it? Thanks

[alexweiihman]

I dont know the date, but usually TCA events are not open to the public.

[csxt30]

This may be your area of the TCA, not sure but check the link below & I have been to many TCA meets as a non member, just pay a couple more dollars to get in !!

http://www.netca.org/

Thanks, John

[phillyreading]

Like csxt30 mentions you should be able to get in to the event but you must be a member to register for a table to sell things.

Lee F.

[jefelectric]

Good evening guys,

The TCA convention is a little different then a meet.  All activities are members only.  Here is a link.  BTW, why not join, it is a great group.

 http://www.tcavt2008.org/

[dennyblock]

I thought about joining but don't know anyone to sign for me and membership is pretty pricey

[GORK]

A couple of points : 

Most TCA meets are for members only.  Occasionally TCA meets are open to "the public", but these are relatively rare exceptions.

One can sometimes attend as a guest of a member.  This will be the case in Burlington.

For the TCA National Convention in Burlington VT in 2008, there will be some areas open to the public, i.e. manufacturers' displays, operating layouts.  The trading area will be limited to members only.  As a guest of a member, one may participate in tours, banquets, welcome party, etc,  but not enter the trading area.

Upstate New York is the jurisdiction of the Eastern Division of TCA.   If you e-mail me I can get you some names of people in your area.   Also, I can invite you to some of the other events in Vermont to meet some of us.

Can't do too much about the price !! 

  

[alexweiihman]

I thought about joining but don't know anyone to sign for me and membership is pretty pricey

 

It worth it!

[DMUinCT]

   The New England Div. of TCA (NETCA) holds 3 meetings a year in the Boston Area and a 4th in New Hampshire.   This is governed by State Tax laws.   All meets start as closed (members only) meets, but, in some cases will open to the public after the first hour. You are in the Eastern Div. territory and your application sent to National TCA will make you a member of there Division.

   Do to the high cost of hotel rooms in first class Boston hotels ($200+), Conventions hosted by NETCA are held in other New England cities that cater to tourists.   2008 is Burlington VT.  Conventions are primarily a social gathering, Local Tour Groups, Food, and Train Related Tours.   The "trading pits" are a minor part for most attendees.   Keep in mind, only about 1,000, on average, attend a Convention while the Eastern Meets at York, PA draw 14,000 members interested in buying and selling trains.

   To join requires a check for $57,  $25 of that is a one time Application Fee, the cost of Membership is $32 a year. The Wife and Children under 18 are free and may attend meets.  For  your dues you get a quarterly Magazine, the TCA newsletter, access to The National Toy Train Museum (owned by TCA), and the ability to buy a ticket to any TCA Train Show in the nation.  The publications alone are worth the dues.

If you are into toy trains, you should join with the more than 30,000 other Collectors and/or Operators.

TCA 73-5735

[dbaker48]

After joining TCA, and visiting York in April.  Why do I feel I will be disappointed with the TCA convention in Phoenix in 2009?   Hmm...... maybe have to plan another trip to York?  Speaking of conventions, what really surprises me is TTOS which is larger on the left coast has a conventions scheduled in Canada soon.  With there typical smaller attendance, can't imagine what that will be like when a passport is required.  An addition $100 fee.

[DMUinCT]

   At least 1 of the trips at the TCA Burlington Convention in 2008 will be to Canada.  Members that sign up for THAT TRIP, when the paperwork comes out this Fall, WILL NEED A PASSPORT.

  This has been stated in the TCA publications. 

[kpolak]

   At least 1 of the trips at the TCA Burlington Convention in 2008 will be to Canada.  Members that sign up for THAT TRIP, when the paperwork comes out this Fall, WILL NEED A PASSPORT.

  This has been stated in the TCA publications. 

Having a passport is a good thing to remember.  Earlier this year Canada required passports to cross the border.

Kurt

[jonadel]

The Passport rule for Canada is only if flying, if by car you don't need it. And of course now even the government is backing down now because of the backlog applications, if you've applied for a passport and don't receive it simply bring evidence that you've applied.

Jon

[GORK]

 

Just to make this perfectly clear:

For the TCA 2008 National Convention, anyone who participates in a convention tour to Canada WILL BE REQUIRED to have a passport to take the tour.  We cannot take the chance of long delays at the border because of insufficient ID.

If you want to drive to Canada on your own, it is possible (at present, at least) to get by with other ID.  Without a passport, be prepared for extensive questioning and long delays getting back into the U.S. 

 

 

[Anonymous]

Denny if you decide to join, I'm sure there are few fellas here on the board that would sign for you... after you've been around here a bit and we get to know you...

[Dave45681]

After joining TCA, and visiting York in April.  Why do I feel I will be disappointed with the TCA convention in Phoenix in 2009?   Hmm...... maybe have to plan another trip to York?  Speaking of conventions, what really surprises me is TTOS which is larger on the left coast has a conventions scheduled in Canada soon.  With there typical smaller attendance, can't imagine what that will be like when a passport is required.  An addition $100 fee.

 While I am by no means a convention veteran (only went in 2004 Pittsburgh for the 50th - very nice!), I will echo what others have suggested.  

 The trading pits, while an important part of the convention, are certainly not the main focus.

 In terms of volume of dealers, I am guessing no matter where the convention is, it will not compare with York.   There are certainly opportunities for good shopping though.  As an example, my Father found a dummy engine that he missed due to an order snafu in the early 2000's.  Neither of us had ever seen this item for sale at any York (as I live very close, we always attend) since he found out his dealer did not receive the order from the manufacturer.  We found one (at very fair price) from one of the members (or maybe it was a small dealer, but I think it was just a member) at the convention.

The great thing about the convention I went to was all the railroad (and some non-railroad, but specific to the convention locale) tours that were so much fun.   Enjoying these events with your fellow train nuts is the point of the conventions.  The banquets were also great, with some very nice table prizes at the main banquet.

 As to the cost comment made in a few posts, of course the membership itself is the smallest cost of attending a convention, unless it's in your home town.  I seem to recall signing up for tours for all days but one (left one open for the trading pits), and I think the tour costs (not including hotel stays here, of course) were somewhere between $400 and $500 for everything I selected.

Bottom line, the conventions are a great experience, but if you are just looking for a good swap meet to attend, you are better off attending York or another meet more local to your location.

Hope some found this helpful! ;)