A first for TCA, the tinplate Convention Car offering will be produced in both O and Standard gauge. While there are slight variations between the cars, the graphics are similar. Of all the years of tinplate production a map reefer has never been done.
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Very cool. I haven't heard, where is the 2016 location?
The 2016 convention will be held in Houston. I'm hoping to make it over from Arizona for at least a few days!
Nice, but very expensive. I'm on the fence, probably will pass as I already have too many trains.
These cars are being offered at the same list price as MTH is offering them. I purchased one of each and I'm not a tinplate collector. TCA's agreements with the manufacturer do not allow us to sell them for less than the manufacturers retail price.
The next convention is in Houston, Texas
The 2016 Convention Cars
Seven ordering options are available:
MTH O Scale Katy Flatcar with Southwest Motor Transport Trailer: Red, Black or Set of Both
Continuing the series started in 2013, TCA is offering this flatcar in two colors and road numbers, available for purchase as individual cars or as a set of two. The Missouri–Kansas–Texas railroad, affectionately referred to as the “Katy,” had a long tradition of operating in Texas prior to becoming a part of Union Pacific in 1988. The attractive graphics on the trailer represent a Texas-based trucking carrier dating back to 1930—Southwest Motor Transport.
"Made in the USA” Lionel Traditional O Gauge Texas Mexican Railway Boxcar
Chartered in 1881, the Texas Mexican Railway has a long history of transporting goods across southern Texas between Laredo and Corpus Christi. The colorful paint scheme is based on the colors used for the railroad’s cabooses and passenger cars. This car is the first offering for TCA members in many years that is in the great tradition of colorful “made in the USA” Lionel cars, and will certainly stand out in any O gauge collection.
Lionel by MTH Tinplate O Gauge Santa Fe Reefer
The Santa Fe had a long tradition in the state of Texas. Another TCA first, this car represents the first time TCA has offered a Lionel O gauge prewar style reefer to the membership. Featuring the “Texas Chief” graphic on one side of the car and the classic “Map” graphic on the other, this reefer reminds us all of the early history of TCA—and why this organization remains the premier train-collecting association in the world.
Standard Gauge Santa Fe Map Boxcar
TCA is also offering a version of this car in Standard Gauge! The Texas Chief was the Texas version of the Super Chief. Passengers could ride daily from Chicago to Galveston, Texas in comfort and style. Always a popular train, it ran until 1979, a full 8 years after Amtrak took over passenger service. The Santa Fe, always savvy in their marketing practices, never missed an opportunity to promote their brand. The Lionel by MTH Standard Gauge reefer honors that tradition with the famous Santa Fe Route Map on one side and the “Route of the Texas Chief” on the other.
American Flyer by Lionel S Gauge NASA Rocket Flatcar and Boxcar Set
No convention held in Houston would be complete without a reference to NASA. O gauge collectors have enjoyed collecting and operating NASA-themed cars for many decades. Now for the first time anywhere a NASA-themed set is being offered in S gauge. This two-car set is sure to be a collectible as a first-of- its-kind and will look as good on display as it will in operation on your layout.
Early-bird 5% savings are available for orders received by July 31, 2015! Final date for acceptance of orders at full price is October 31, 2015,
Information pulled from the TCA email to TCA members on July 1.
You should check your emails from the TCA and their website in case this data might have changed.
Here is the official artwork for the standard gauge car. I'm going to need to find a standard gauge locomotive one of these days as well as some track.
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