Founded in 1954 by a group of passionate toy train enthusiasts—including Edwin P. Alexander, William C. Krames, and Louis J. Redman—the Train Collectors Association (TCA) has grown into one of the world’s most respected organizations dedicated to the history, operation, and enjoyment of toy trains and model railroading. What began as a meeting of 68 collectors and operators in a barn in Yardley, Pennsylvania, has blossomed into a vibrant international community.
Today, the TCA serves as a cornerstone of the toy train world, bringing together collectors, operators, historians, and hobbyists of all ages. Through its operation of the renowned National Toy Train Museum in Strasburg, PA, and its hosting of the legendary York Train Meet, the TCA continues to celebrate and preserve the magic of toy trains. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, an operator who loves to run trains, or someone just beginning their journey, the TCA welcomes you to be part of a tradition that spans generations.
Benefits of Membership
Train Meets
The various Divisions and Chapters of the TCA sponsor train meets where members may buy, sell, or trade trains, or just enjoy the fellowship of collecting. Over 150 of these are held each year. A schedule of these meets appears under News & Events on this site and in the National Headquarters News. Each June one of the Divisions hosts the Train Collectors Association’s National Convention, which is one of the highlights of the year and provides an opportunity for fun-filled family vacations in various parts of the United States.
The Train Collectors Quarterly
Members receive The Train Collectors Quarterly, a magazine dedicated to tinplate trains. Articles on the history of toy trains, and the firms who manufactured them make this one of the finest magazines in the collecting field. Members are urged to contribute articles for the magazine. Members may also consult over fifty years of archived copies online. (Membership login required.)
National Headquarters News
This periodical is also mailed to the members five times a year and contains listings of the various Chapter and Division meets names of new members, and other important information. The “Interchange Point” is part of the National Headquarters News and is the place where members list items they have for sale, trade, or want to buy.
The TCA Directory
Members at their option receive this Directory annually. It contains an alphabetical listing of all members
Collection Insurance
The Association, through an independent insurance agent, has available for members’ consideration a plan through which they may insure their collection.
Toy Train Reference Library
The Association is continuously updating the Library that is housed in the Museum and Headquarters Building. This Library is the most extensive resource center for researching tinplate toy train history. On file are catalogs, magazines, and books devoted to toy trains from 1900 to the present. The Library also maintains copies of commercial price guides for a number of popular manufacturers but does not provide appraisals or evaluations.
Gift Shop
The National Toy Train Museum Gift Shop is stocked with toy trains and railroad-related items and has most of the current books on toy trains.
National Toy Train Museum
The National Toy Train Museum, located in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, houses one of the finest collections of toy trains in the world. There are five operating layouts and a continuously running video. Displays are changed periodically. Members are admitted free to the museum and are encouraged to visit the museum. If a person desires to loan or donate a unique article to the Museum, they can do that as well.