It's been awhile since I posted the messages above. Since then, I've discovered a few new facts, so I've edited some of the statements above to reflect it.
I believe there were two generic patches issued from 1976-1982.
I think the buttons replaced the patches afterwards from 1983-2013. (It's possible there was a period where Lionel gave both a generic patch and a button until supplies of the generic patch finished.)
I'm inclined to think a limited amount of buttons bearing a specific year were made from 1983-2013. After all those had been sent out, the generic buttons were then sent to those who joined later in the year.
I am also fairly certain a button was NOT issued in 2014, because only a few people reported getting anything other than the Lionel Railroader Club Inside Track newsletter/magazine and Lionel catalogs with their paid dues that year. Those few stated they received only a Membership Card---but NO Button. Most people stated they never received both!
One person stated he renewed his membership for 2014, but soon after received a 2013 Membership Card and Button in mid-January 2014. He called Lionel about it, and he was told they were no longer issuing Membership Cards nor Buttons. Lionel also told him they didn't know if they would ever resume that practice. It's curious he was told that so early in the year, because Lionel had sent 2014 Membership Cards out to some members already. The fact they'd sent out leftover 2013 Membership Cards and Buttons by then probably means very few 2014 Membership Cards were printed and sent out.
Of course later in the year, both Lionel and the LCCA announced the LCCA would be absorbing the LRRC membership. Lionel discontinued use of the LRRC name on all printed matter and on exclusive, limited editon items.
At this time I haven't been able to ascertain what permanent Membership Cards looked like for the periods 1977-1984, 1991-1996, 1998, and 2002-2004. It's possible generic Membership Cards were used for multiple years similar to the ones before and after each known period. If anyone has pics of the Membership Cards for these years, I'd appreciate it if you posted them or sent them directly to me. Please let me know if any information I've presented here is wrong.
Thanks!
Tony