LCCA

We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't see anything good coming from a thread like this.

But would it lead you to consider quitting the TCA?

As far as offerings,  the LCCA are way more exciting ..  I quit the TCA 3 years ago  and joined the LCCA last year to get the General pair ..  I will continue to renew as I see Lou is introducing some nice stuff ..

I'm leaning that way since I can nolonger attend the Eastern Division York meets.

Bruce

TCA 95-41166

The LCCA all volunteer Board of Directors has made a significant, conscious, commitment to promote and foster an interest in Lionel trains with local Specal events in cities all around the country.  We are trying to reach out to our members, provide them with greater value and more benefits for belonging to the club.   We are all volunteers who have a passion  for Lionel trains, our club and the hobby.  

The money of the LCCA belongs to it's members.   We are investing  the club's money and resources to deliver more benefits to our members.  We are trying to offer our members  desirable product in different market segments in an effort to continually  improve our club.   We have invested to update our  website with improved video capabilities and created new Facebook accounts for both  Regular and Junior Members .  We need to evolve with the times.  Our events and activities are moving so fast, our publication schedules can not keep up  with all of our activities.  Our website improvements are intended to improve communication with our members and guests who visit our site.  it is becoming more and more important to communicate more frequently with our members.  We are not taking away anything from the benefit of  our current publications, The Lion Roars or the Interchsnge Track.  We are adding incremental capabilities in an effort to  add more value for each of our members.  

People always talk about bringing younger people into our great hobby.  The LCCA is trying to walk the talk, not just talk.  Our all volunteer leadership team is working hard to do this.  Our website updates , Facebook accounts and our Junior membership program, local special events, great conventions, involvement at WGHOT shows  is all intended to introduce the magic of Lionel trains and the hobby in general to a new generation of people.  We even have a special publication dedicated for our young Junior  Members called The Lion Cub.

Working with Lionel,the LCCA has invested and is commited to launching a new Fastrack Modular layout at our upcoming convention.  This is intended to be used at future events to promote Lionel trains and the hobby.  This is just the initial phase to this massive project.  Stay tuned for future announcements.  

The LCCA has decided that we need to improve our support and emphasis in the S-gauge market.  As you know, Lionel has  owned and produced American Flyer S-gage trains for several years.  We think it is a natural fit and acknowledge the need to improve our club in this area. We need to be more inclusive of the various and diverse interests of our members.  There is no wrong way to enjoy this hobby, it is a matter of taste and preferences.  

This year at our 42nd Annual Convention in Norfolk VA, we are offering two layout tours to Paul  Sharp's facility which features two s-gauge layouts and a massive collection of AC Gilbert American Flyer /modern S-gauge trains, autos, toys, arcade games and neon signs.  OGR's Ed Boyle will also be making a presentation pertaining to S-Gauge trains on Saturday morning, July 28.  

President Dennis Devito and The Lion Roars (TLR) editor, Mike Mottler have committed a couple of pages of each future issue to be dedicated to S- Gage topics.  Every article in TLR is an original article (not reprints from other publications) written by a volunteer member.  We are actively seeking members who have an interest and expertise with S-gage trains to contribute articles.  If we have more interest and increased participation, we can dedicate more pages in TLR, resources on our website and more Facebook pages to S-Gauge topics.    If you or someone you know has an interest in writing original S- Gauge related articles,  please contact me at 248 709-4137 or via e-mail at agkolis@comcast.net

I want to peronally invite you to join the club, get involved and participate in our family oriented,club.   You will have Fun,   Try it for one year.  If you don't like it, then let us know how to improve it.  Get involved.  This club belongs to our members.  The more you contribute, the more you receive.  Then, if you are not satisfied, then you just don't renew your membership the following year.   Please call me if you want to discuss ths matter further.  I welcome your feedback.

Thank you

Al K.

I agree with Joe here, although I keep my TCA membership so I can go to york. If not for york, the TCA would be history

quote:

I agree with Joe here, although I keep my TCA membership so I can go to york. If not for york, the TCA would be history

If not for the special merchandise, would you belong to the LCCA?

Yes. No question.

quote:

I wonder how much of the current membership joined for the same reason?

I am glad to see the positive responses about the LCCA regardless of the special merchandise offerings.

I suspect that many of the TCA's newer members, as well as some of the older ones only belong to the TCA to attend York. There are folks who have posted statements to that effect.

I enjoy reading both  LCCA and TCA magazines.

So far, I have not purchased any of the LCCA special offering, but one never knows.

While I don't make every meet, I often go to the York show.

Tim,  Thank you for your kind words and continued support of the LCCA.  I am not here to put down the TCA either.  I am a proud member.  Each organization has its unique merits, strengths and weaknesses.  The York meet is a phenomenal experience.  It is a great setting to see fellow club members and to buy trains.  

We at the LCCA are focused and committed to promoting and fostering an interest in Lionel Trains specifically and toy trains in general.   We are a family oriented club who have a passion and interest in Lionel trains.  We strive hard to maximize the benefits for being a member of our club.   We like to have fun.  We all have other real jobs, so it is important for us to check our own egos at the door, and focus on making the club fun and enjoyable for all of our members.  President Dennis Devito is all about what more can we do for our members.  It is all about the members,   Each of our lmembers have their own unique areas of interest.  We try to balance and emphasize different areas of interest in everything we do.  Our The Lion Roars (TLR) editor Mike Mottler does a great job balancing the content of each issue of our club's publication.  Every article is written by a member, so we think we get varied points of views and areas of interest covered.  Our Interchange Track (IT) Editor Barrie Braden has upgraded  the content of each issue (including adding color photos and pages)  in an effort to better communicate with our members.  Everything we do is focused on how can we do more for our members.  

We are actively trying to promote and peretuate the hobby.   I think it is important to bring new and younger people into this great hobby.  We are evolving in an effort to reach out and attract new peope to the hobby.   We are trying to walk the talk, not just talk  about bringing young  people into the hobby. This is a great, fun, educational, hands-on, creative hobby.  

I understand what it was like when my kids were young, energetic and in the fishbowl with everyone watching them.  I lived and experienced the hobby from a young family's perspective.  I personally found the LCCA to be the most family friendly, oriented club.   That is why i got involved and volunteered to run for various club positions.   I am personally very interested in doing everything I can possibly do to perpetuate and encourage young families to enjoy the magic of Lionel trains and the hobby.  My two sons have grown up playing  with Lionel trains.  The LCCA has been a source of fun and has provided them with many life-long memories and experiences. For that, I am forever grateful to the LCCA.  The people were always warm, friendly and encouraging to my sons.   We are trying very hard to contribute and perpetuate these types of experiences for many more people in the years to come.

Thanks again for making the LCCA such a great organization!

Al K. 

All of my emails to the LCCA officers and board members are always answered promptly.  I'm sorry to say that I cannot make that statement about some of the other clubs in the hobby.

If not for the special merchandise, would you belong to the LCCA?

Yep, the club offerings are only the frosting on the cake. I have been to 15 or so LCCA National Conventions and they are what the club is all about. Getting together with other train families and having a great time on the numerous tours and get togethers. I will be attending the Norfolk Convention next week and am really looking forward to the NS Executive train ride. I rode the UP Executive train when the LCCA held their convention in Denver and it was a terrific ride up to Cheyenne.

We'll be there as well.  Looking forward to another great time!!

I think the LCCA has a lot more to offer than the TCA has had for a long time. I've been a member of both since the mid-90's and have consistently felt better all around about the LCCA. Their magazine is way better and more up to date on current interests. The "old boys club" of the TCA is famous for its infighting and removal of those that have fallen out of favor no matter how good of a job they have done in the past. You never hear about such nonsense happening in the LCCA. And a recent editorial in one of the magazines hits the nail on the head about TCA's outdated silly rules. Most guys I know that do not belong say it is because they will never go to York train meet. And most that do belong, do so they can go to York. Without the York train meet, what really would someone pay $35.00 a year for? All the local TCA meets here in N.Ohio had to change the rules and open the doors to the public or go out of business.

The LCCA meets always seem to have more fun and happier more satisfied members. 

Personally I think the LCCA is doing a fine job! That's my "2 cents worth" whats yours?

Rich,

When are you arriving?  I look forward to seeing you in Norfolk!  Let's have some FUN!

Al K. 

All things being equal, we should be arriving at the hotel on Sunday around 2 or 3.

Rich,  that is great news!  I hope you have the time to attend LCCA President Dennis Devito's reception on Sunday evening at 7:30 PM.   This the first time we are hosting this event.  You will have an opportunity to meet with other members, officers and convention volunteers.   Convention Co-Managers " Captain Bob" Carter(formerly Cowyboy Bob) and Lou "Captain Chaos" Caponi will explain all of the events and special activities we have planned for the week.  We hope you can make it.   See you in Norfolk!

Al K. 

I recently joined both clubs, the TCA about a year ago, and the LCCA a few months ago.

I joined the TCA when they got rid of the initiation fee. I was thinking about joining for about a year prior (I bought some old TCA Quarterly mags at a train show and liked what I saw). When they were temporarily waiving the $35, I got my signatures and joined.

I joined the LCCA in May this year. I was at a small train show in Crown Point, Indiana, and Dennis Devito (sp?) was there recruiting. We had a rather pleasant talk, and I decided to join based on that chat.

I enjoy both clubs' publications, though both are still fairly new to me. I've gone to York once (and hopefully a few more times in the future) and I've gone to one Midwest Division swap meet. Last Christmas I got into the toy train museum for free because I was a member. I had to miss the only LCCA event that's happened near me thus far, which is a shame as it sounded like a lot of fun (it was a tour of TM Books and Video in June)

I don't see myself ordering any of the club special cars etc., but I won't say never. Having never been to one of the conventions, I don't know what to think about attending either clubs'.

I plan on keeping my membership in both clubs, as well as the local modular club and the Plasticville Collector's Association (which may be the best value of all of them at only $10 a year).

J White

THANKS EVERYONE for expressing your opinions. we like to hear positive comments. i'll not throw rocks at any other club or organization. i have been a member of LCCA and TCA since 1980 and I feel every club has something to offer. some do it better than others. because of you, our members and great leadership skills the LCCA has been very fortunate. remember its your club and your continued support has made and continues to make the LCCA one of the finest clubs in the world.

bless all of you

LOUIE

I have been a member of the LCCA for about fifteen years now and all I can say is that they are a great group of people.

Now please don't take this post as a jab at the TCA, it is not. I love going to York and the Toy Train museum but what I love about the LCCA, not to mention all the great offerings is how warm the group is to all of it's members. Their willingness to accept what ever help the members care to offer is really wonderful,  This fast track modular club is a perfect example.

I wish I was able to spend more time enjoying all the functions they offer, but life is what it is so I will just have to wait for more opportune times.

Al, Dennis, Mike, Lou, I could go on and on naming the club movers and shakers but let's just say that they are all wonderful folks and do a geat job for all of us.