I’d love to go but i am not currently a tca member. can i sign up at the front door?
The TrainMaster,
Obviously, I posted the incorrect link to TCA. It should work now.
Hotel room rates in and very near York are, of course, a gigantic rip-off, assuming you want someplace reasonably decent and clean. It will never happen because so many are drawn to the “convenience factor,” but wouldn’t it be great if thousands of York attendees finally got fed up and began staying in hotels outside the immediate area–most of which offer much nicer accommodations at significantly lower rates? I did stay in York a couple of times, but as I noted earlier, I found much nicer rooms and far better rates in the outlying areas–all of which are a very pleasant drive to the fairgrounds.
I realize that when one goes to York, one doesn’t spend a whole lot of time in his hotel room, and only uses it as a place to crash, shower, and perhaps rest tired feet, but I’m one who still likes a nice room with a bit of peace and quiet.
Yes, it is possible to join TCA at the door. I did exactly that a couple of years ago.
You will need to obtain a TCA membership application. Membership applications can be downloaded from the TCA website. Fill out the new member portion of the application and take it with you. You will also need to obtain two signatures from current TCA members. When you join, you will need to pay the initiation fee and the first years dues. Dues are now $32.00 per year, the initiation fee is $25.00 for a total of $57.00 to join TCA.
According to the meet notice, the registration desk located in the Silver hall will be staffed Wednesday evening 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; and Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The notice does not specifically state anything about joining TCA but as I said, I was able to join TCA at the fairgrounds in 2004.
Registering for the meet is an additional cost of $15.00 at the door.
Edited my post above to reflect the fact that the initiation fee is still $25.00. There is a current application form in my just received TCA National Headquarters News.
FYI - Gettysburg is only about 30 minutes away with tons of hotel rooms and restaurants along with one of the most famous battlefields in the world.
Mitch[:D]
I stay in Harrisburg where the hotels are also cheaper (and include breakfast) and it is only a 20-25 min drive down the interstate.
Greg - I had heard that people could get signed up at York, but since I had not personally seen it I did not say anything for fear that it was just a rumor.
I have heard that the TCA folks are happy to set up a new member and it sounds like that was your experience.
Be aware that in addition to TCA, you can also join your local division (or any division you wish - like the Eastern Division that runs the York meet). I am in the Lone Star Division which is an extra $6 per year.
i don’t mean to be a nag… but…what is the likelihood of trolling the parking lot and finding 2 souls to sign the application? good…unlikely?
When I went I had it made, my daughter lives just outside of Baltimore. I won’t be going this year since my old classmates from grammer school tracked me down. Seem they’ve been having annual gettogethers and I’m one of a few that hadn’t found. Well they found me and we’re meeting in NJ in May and that’ll be my trip to yankee land this year.
My next time to York will probably be in 2008 when I decide to totally retire and the mortgage is done and over with. More money for trains.
You don’t need to look…the folks running the show will sign for you when you join. But to answer your question…it would take less than a minute to find your 2 souls. Joe
When I joined TCA at York, there were many individuals in the same line to join the TCA. In fact, there was a special line just for that purpose.
York is great in that you see things there you only see in magazines and the people you meet are great. Also, the manufactures displays are cool. However, if you are looking to buy trains, the prices are outrageous. They are greater than e-bay or train auctions.
“However, if you are looking to buy trains, the prices are outrageous. They are greater than e-bay or train auctions.”
That’s simply not true! If you know how to shop for the trains you want, and have done your homework in advance, you can easily swing some very good deals at York–better than the typical “win” on eBay or elsewhere.
It is still the best place on earth to see so much in such a short time. Till you have been there you will never know?
Even my wife is amazed.
laz57
There IS a lot of expensive pre-post war stuff at York, but it’s usually on rare or “like new” condition items. Think about it…this is not attended by “non-train walk-ins”. If what you say is true, York meets would have died-out many years ago. Yes, I’m sure there are some dealers who are still living in “dreamland”, but I find them at regular “non-train” flea markets as well. Because York is so huge, the hardest thing to do is finding the dealer who had “the one you REALLY wanted”. Bring a notepad and pen to be able to do this. Better yet, if the condition and price seems right…buy it when you first see it. Joe