0 days till York week.

Others must know this better than me but at some point in time there was an exclusivity associated with TCA membership not only in how you might qualify to join, but your behavior after membership.  There must have been a significant problem with vintage trains which were misrepresented in some fashion and TCA was formed in part to put some guardrails on this issue to protect collectors.

I recall that I had to be nominated  by two TCA members and go through a vetting process in order to become a member.  Based upon the issues encountered by TCA at the time all this seems logical.

But in the process TCA made a lot of if not enemies, then critics. 

Fast forward to today and it is my impression that if you are a warm body and have the membership fee you are in.  This strikes me as survival mode behavior with which I have no problem either.

Based upon my casual observation, I am in the minority of the members that I saw at York in the past two days and I am 73 years old.  That is not a good sustainability plan!

I too wish TCA well, however as the older members age out the attraction of camaraderie  will unfortunately age out with them unless replaced with a younger generation over time.

My guess is that in the short term York will become more of a sales show and less of a social gathering.  The member halls will slowly go away, and the Orange Hall will be the main attraction (if not moved to Memorial Hall) until or if the younger generation get off their smart phones and experience the real world.

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be, and neither will York.

 

Indeed, and those who joined did so for a reason that went beyond the mere enjoyment of trains.  The WOW factor then was something we could not get elsewhere, access to knowledge/expertise which in the process led to many friendships and the relationship aspect that was not attainable on a large scale elsewhere or by other means.

As the influence of the Internet has grown knowledge and expertise are only several clicks away and relationships/friendships are possible virtually with folks that may never have met each other normally and may never meet face to face ever.

TCA in order to prosper again must grow membership by finding a new/different WOW factor to draw in those model train enthusiasts who the Internet has drawn away from traditional hobby associations/clubs.

Who needs TCA is the question begging the answer  "You need TCA because........"

Anyone want to fill in the blank?  

Gary,

I agree I only joined to go to York, the rest of the Organization is useless to me. When I stop going to York I will resign from the tca. There is nothing they do except take my money every year.

Btw when I joined in 1984 I also needed two signatures and when I went to my first York and when waiting in line to get in I asked two guys who did not know me to sign my application, they did and handed my application in when I went to get in.  Right then and there I saw how special you had to be to join!!!!

Dave

All hobby clubs that I know of are open to all. They offer a communications about the hobby, plan many gatherings, provide info on history and allow you to keep in touch with other members. One club that I am a member of charges $15/yr dues, holds five public shows, organizes cruises (auto) and you get a monthly online magazine/newsletter. During the winter month they hold virtual Zoom meetings open to everyone once each month. They are charging the right price.
If the TCA was organized to expand the hobby, unfortunately I never saw that happening. If there is an outreach mission where is it? Where are their layouts in public places around the holidays that could attract thousands and illustrate to the youth what the hobby is all about?
I was a TCA member for many years but decided 10 years back that my $50 dues was just a waste of money. To date I've saved over $500. Now with the other public train shows,internet forums,eBay and Facebook groups it shows that the TCA's time may have passed.