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TCA
Jan 24, 2021 20:21:28 GMT
Post by dennym57 on Jan 24, 2021 20:21:28 GMT
I've decided not to renew my membership. The only benefit was going to York and that's not going happen this year or ever.
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TCA
Jan 24, 2021 20:51:42 GMT
Post by 4dogsinjersey on Jan 24, 2021 20:51:42 GMT
Over the years, I have belonged to many organizations. From military and fire truck clubs, shooting clubs, reenactment units and railroad museums and historical societies . Oddly enough, I never belonged to a model railroad group. I usually joined at a national level as well as a local level.
As my interests evolved I strayed away and didn’t go back. There were many fine people and I miss interacting with them, but if the interest isn’t there, it just isn’t fun anymore.
The good part is that you can rejoin when you want, if you want. Do what’s rights for you.
Denny, I have heard many discussions like yours. Most people belonged to the TCA just to get access to York. I never went there. There are a few train shows around me during the year that I could attend should the COVID situation improve. I think many people are dropping the TCA membership due to COVID cancelling events. Hopefully the show will recover someday....
Tom
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TCA
Jan 24, 2021 23:05:28 GMT
Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 24, 2021 23:05:28 GMT
You're in VERY good company, Denny. The longer the shows get delayed/cancelled... the more folks will be inclined to not renew. I still have a ticket that's due to be honored whenever the next York show happens. But if it's April 2021, I won't be attending. And I haven't renewed my TCA membership that expired last August. So we shall see what happens. I'm content to stop in at the Orange Hall as a general public attendee when the spirit moves me. And of course... attending an OGF dinner to enjoy time with friends.
Aside from that, I think my days as a TCA member are history.
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TCA
Jan 24, 2021 23:05:44 GMT
Post by dennym57 on Jan 24, 2021 23:05:44 GMT
I worked a booth in the Orange Hall across the aisle from Harry Heike. When I was there last time the crowd was very thin and that was before covid. Charles Ro wasn't there and neither were a lot of dealers including Lionel. The members halls were pretty slim too. I felt like it was the beginning of the end.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 24, 2021 23:29:05 GMT
Over??!! OVER??!! Was it over when the Germans bombed Peal Harbor??!! It’s not over until we say it is!!
If April’s York Meet is canceled I will be at a crossroads as far as renewing my TCA membership. Previously the few times I couldn’t go to the Meet, I still kept up my membership since I was local to a lot of TCA venues and activities. After moving to California I’ve been able to go to York, except for the Meet that occurred right after the move, and I kept my membership to support the organization and the hobby. But out here TCA activities are about two hours away and nowhere near comparable to the York Meet. So renewing is iffy since I’m far from the TCA museum I used to be close to and since I can attend the Meet as a ‘public’ attendee.
Realistically, I’ll probably keep my membership until I can no longer attend or participate in TCA activities. I’ll miss seeing you there Denny!
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TCA
Jan 25, 2021 1:29:10 GMT
Post by david1 on Jan 25, 2021 1:29:10 GMT
I have been in the TCA since 1984 and have attended every single York since I joined. I have missed the last 3 shows and That includes this Aprils show that was Just cancelled. Eddieg just posted it a little while ago.
I just re-upped my tca membership so when the shows do start up again ill be ready. Hope to see everybody in October!!
Dave
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TCA
Jan 25, 2021 2:06:31 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2021 2:06:31 GMT
It’s $50. Paid.
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TCA
Jan 25, 2021 2:13:22 GMT
Post by rtraincollector on Jan 25, 2021 2:13:22 GMT
I haven't renewed my membership since my wife's stroke. As she just can't do the trip. Long traveling wears her out and she is sore from it. So I do not see me going to York again. And I haven't been able to go to any small shows ( within 2 hours of me for over a year because of Covid. I was suppose to have 2 tables last April here in Columbia, S.C. But that didn't happen.
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TCA
Jan 25, 2021 2:19:38 GMT
Post by Sir James on Jan 25, 2021 2:19:38 GMT
They knew when they raised to 50 dollars that the Yorke's were over a barrel. Well I didn't go last year so I did not renew. At 35 dollars I would still be a member. Oh and the local chapter holds their meets in Cleveland and that's not just around the corner from Detroit.
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TCA
Jan 25, 2021 12:15:42 GMT
josef likes this
Post by Country Joe on Jan 25, 2021 12:15:42 GMT
My TCA membership expired in August and I haven't renewed it. Living in Florida it's very hard to attend York. I had joined the Southern TCA group but there were no activities for me to attend. I just don't see the point of paying $50 (+ $10 for the Southern group) a year for nothing.
Florida is open and we have had train shows though everyone is strongly urged to wear a mask. The shows are tiny compared to York but still fun.
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TCA
Jan 25, 2021 12:36:56 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2021 12:36:56 GMT
Frankly I'm surprise by how many feel the way you do about the TCA. Don't get me wrong, I'm in the same boat. Only reason I joined was to attend York but you don't need to be a member for that anymore. Sign of the times I guess.
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Post by Craignor on Jan 25, 2021 14:03:04 GMT
Please pay your dues.
Just because York doesn’t happen, doesn’t mean TCA’s expenses stop coming in. If you want to attend York post pandemic, keep paying your dues to keep TCA alive, so there there is a future York to attend.
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TCA
Jan 25, 2021 14:26:21 GMT
Post by harborbelt70 on Jan 25, 2021 14:26:21 GMT
Please pay your dues. Just because York doesn’t happen, doesn’t mean TCA’s expenses stop coming in. If you want to attend York post pandemic, keep paying your dues to keep TCA alive, so there there is a future York to attend. Well, that's basically my outlook as well - after mulling over the fact that their publications really contain very little of interest to me. I also think, probably erroneously, that it does something to support the Toy Train Museum.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2021 14:30:15 GMT
Thanks Craig. Well said.
Kinda sad to see this, “What’s in it for me” attitude.
If we aren’t willing to support TCA, what else do we have that speaks for the hobby? I can’t think of anything. TCA is not perfect but it is a national organization that tries to do a good job. Most of us may be old but that doesn’t mean that we quit.
We seem to be letting Covid win the contest. And it is not just with TCA.
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Post by joeh on Jan 25, 2021 15:02:12 GMT
I had considered dropping mine even before the shut-down. For the past 5 years at York I've mainly been strolling and looking, mostly in the Orange Hall. I would then leave early, and hit all the antique shops in Columbia, Strasburg, and Paradise on the way home. Since I can get into the Orange Hall as a non-member, that is what I'm going to do. Allowing non-members in at all may prove to have been a big mistake. What will I do if the non-member entry is no longer available? I'll just go to the Allentown show twice a year. It's half the distance for me.
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