Honoring the Honorary! (Updated Summer 2026)

e*Train Issue: Jul 2026 | Posted in: TCA Adventures

By Carol R. McGinnis, TCA #HE95-41066 Updated: Summer 2026 e*Train

You may or may not be aware that there are almost 80,000 Train Collectors Association (TCA) numbers that have been issued since 1954. They start at #1 with our first TCA President, Burton Logan. That’s a whole lot of people over the past 72 years! The most recent member, Tauss III, Frank J., TCA #26-79266 comes from Haymarket, VA. Of those almost 80,000 people, each one has a story to tell, and these stories are so much of what TCA is all about.

The number system was conventional and a common system being used in associations when the founders decided that there needed to be a way to keep track of members. Numbers were assigned using a basic set of guidelines. The first President, Burton Logan, got TCA #1. The first Vice-President, Evan Middleton, got TCA #2. The first Secretary-Treasurer, Lou Redman, got TCA #3. From that point on, the first 68 Founding Members were listed alphabetically and assigned a number based on their position in the list, E.P. (Ed) Alexander to Ralph Calvert. Members came from the newly established Western and Eastern Divisions. Each of these members was eventually granted Charter Membership (CM). All Charter Members were admitted in 1954.

From that point on, there was a year assigned to the membership numbers. CM5-69 was assigned to Frank Ball from New England. “5” showed that he joined in 1955. The folks who joined that year added 40 new members. In 1956, there were 55 new members added, and in 1957, there were 88 added. Some of them joined before the incorporation of TCA, which was quite a big deal! Those who made the cut were awarded a CM, as all members as of incorporation became Charter Members. So, as best as I can tell, there were 183 Charter Members.

It’s probably imperative, at this point, to differentiate the various categories of membership. Currently, there are ten categories into which a member may fall.

Founding Charter Member
Charter Member
Life Membership
Honor Roll Membership
Regular Membership
Honorary Membership
Junior Membership
Heritage Membership
Trial Membership
Surviving Spouse Membership

So let’s delve into the mystery of an Honorary Member. It is different from Charter Member and Honor Roll Member, although they are often confused. Hopefully, the distinction will be clearer after this article gets circulated!

Officially, the TCA Rules and Regulations state in Section 200: 200-01:

200 MEMBERSHIP 200-1 BOARD-ESTABLISHED QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

2. Charter Member: Those collectors who were members of the Association as of the date of Incorporation, March 17, 1957.

4. Honor Roll Membership: May be conferred on any member in good standing, having been a member of the Association for at least 20 years, and having attained their 65th birthday. Honor Roll membership shall carry all privileges of regular membership and shall be recognized by the Board of Directors. This class of membership is closed to new members.

6. “Honorary Member: A Division Board of Directors may recommend a candidate for Honorary Membership. The Division recommendation shall be acted upon by the National Board of Directors and approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote. Honorary Members will pay no dues, be able to attend all TCA meets, and receive TCA publications. Honorary Members shall not have the right to hold office, vote, have tables, or engage in the selling of toy trains or related items during national, division, or chapter meets or in the National Headquarters News.”

With all of that being said, there were once 1844 Honor Roll Members. Now that’s certainly a story for another time!

So, some members, and a few non-members, have made such an impact on the TCA that they have been named Honorary Members. Over the past 72 years, TCA has honored several men and women with the designation of Honorary. There are 11 individuals listed in the printed TCA Directories, which were published up until 2008. These folks are still listed in the historic records and may soon be added to the TCA website. In addition, there are a few who never made it onto the pages of the Directory, so I have assembled a list of 14. You’ll see the differences below, and I welcome any comments or additional information. Send to me at [email protected] or by mail to 5400 Vantage Point Rd, #1005, Columbia, MD 21044.

Delbert J. Henninger (1900–1958?) TCA #57-205

Delbert Henninger is mentioned in the TCQ July 1957, Vol. 3 No.3, where a brief highlight of the report of ballots from the Board of Directors meeting on June 1957 notes that Delbert Henninger and Joshua Lionel Cowen were elected to Honorary Membership.

The following information was gathered from a search for “Delbert Henninger model trains”

Delbert Henninger was a pioneering figure in the early model railroading hobby, known for his innovative semi-scale modifications of tinplate trains during the 1930s. He was a leading proponent of transforming brightly colored, non-prototypical Lionel and Ives tinplate locomotives into more realistic, scale-like models by altering their appearance with custom paint, brass parts, and structural changes. His work was heavily featured in Louis Hertz’s book Model Railroad Conversion Manual, which became a key resource for hobbyists seeking to upgrade their toy trains.

Henninger’s own layout, the West Central Lines, was a notable example of this movement and was featured in Model Railroader magazine, including a cover appearance in the June 1936 issue. His influence extended beyond his own creations, inspiring a generation of modelers to blend toy train accessibility with a more prototypical aesthetic during the Depression era.

Though he passed away in 1958, his legacy lives on through surviving modified locomotives, which are now highly sought after by collectors. Some of his engines, such as those based on Lionel 260 and 257 models, have been documented and preserved, and his work is often discussed in forums like O Gauge Railroading Online Forum. His name is also associated with Henning’s Trains, a modern model railroad supplier in Lansdale, PA, though it is not directly connected to the original modeler.

Joshua Lionel Cowen (1877–1965)

Joshua Cowen is mentioned in the TCQ July 1957, Vol. 3 No.3 in a brief highlight of the report of ballots from the Board of Directors meeting on June, 1957, where Delbert Henninger and Joshua Lionel Cowen were elected to Honorary Membership. In addition, Cowen is listed as an NMRA Pioneer Award winner, Cowen, Joshua Lionel (D). NJ [1985] as the Founder of Lionel Mfg. Co., later Lionel Corporation, makers of Lionel trains.

A search for “Joshua Lionel Cowen model trains” yielded:

”Joshua Lionel Cowen was the American inventor and entrepreneur who founded the Lionel Manufacturing Company in 1900, revolutionizing the toy train industry with his innovative electric model trains. Born Joshua Lionel Cohen in 1877, he changed his name to Cowen in 1910, likely to avoid anti-Semitism in the industry. His first electric train, the Electric Express, introduced in 1901, was initially designed as a storefront display but quickly became a popular toy, marking the beginning of a lasting legacy.

Cowen’s trains were renowned for their realistic details, including accurate replicas of real locomotives with correct rivet counts, working bells, whistles, and even smoke units. By the 1920s and 1950s, Lionel trains became cultural icons, with models like the No. 9E steam locomotive, Transcontinental Limited, and Union Pacific Challenger #3985 capturing the imagination of generations. His company peaked in 1953 as the world’s largest toy manufacturer, producing over $33 million in annual revenue.

Despite facing a decline in the 1960s due to shifting cultural trends, Cowen’s vision lives on through Lionel, LLC, the modern successor company. The brand continues to innovate with technologies like RailSounds™, Legacy®, and Vision Line, while remaining a staple of holiday traditions and a cherished collectible. In 2006, Lionel’s electric train was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, cementing Cowen’s impact on American toy history. “

Verification of facts is suggested.

John C. Hafner (1897–1993) TCA #68-2338

John Coleman Hafner became the next designee of the membership designation, Honorary Member. John, of The Hafner Manufacturing Company, was a maker of tinplate clockwork-powered O gauge toy trains, based in Chicago, Illinois, from 1914 to 1951. It was formed when its founder, and John’s father, William Frederick Hafner, a co-founder of American Flyer, left the AF company in favor of reestablishing his own company.

John lived in Asheville, NC, and proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. John returned from the war in 1918 and joined his father’s company, “where he remained for the rest of his life.”

Further information is “Under John C. Hafner’s leadership, the Hafner Manufacturing Company continued producing clockwork-powered O gauge tinplate toy trains, known for their durability and affordability. The company was based in Chicago, Illinois, and operated from 1914 to 1951. Hafner trains were distinctive for their lack of electric models—all were wind-up, with a reliable clockwork mechanism that could be repaired for life by the company. “

John was conferred the distinguished Honorary Membership on June 28, 1968 by the TCA Board of Directors at the 15^th National Convention at the Jack Tar Hotel in Orlando, FL. A motion was made at the BOD meeting, seconded, and passed unanimously. “To confer Honorary membership effective upon (the) adoption of (a) new constitution.”

Maurice H. Romer (1906–1984) TCA #66-1624

Maury H. Romer, was a long-time employee of the A.C. Gilbert Company (formerly American Flyer) He supervised production of the postwar S gauge line, the A.C. Gilbert Co. He started work in 1927. His knowledge and character were most certainly assets to TCA.

Maury wrote for the Train Collectors Quarterly, as well as provided information to other writers. We know that he served as an executive who held various high-level positions at the company.

Maury was conferred the distinguished Honorary Membership on June 28, 1968, by the TCA Board of Directors at the 15^th Convention. A motion was made at the BOD meeting, seconded, and passed unanimously. “To confer Honorary membership effective upon (the) adoption of (a) new constitution.”

Edwin P. Alexander (1905–1981) TCA #CM-4

Edwin P. Alexander founded the American Model Railroad Company in 1927. He built scale model railroad equipment for over 40 years. He is a recognized leader in the field of O gauge collecting. Examples of his work have been displayed in the Smithsonian Institute and in the Museum of Science & Industry. He was also a prolific author. In addition to writing articles for many model magazines in the 1920’s and 30’s, such as “The Modelmaker” and “Railroad Model Craftsman” (Alexander also served as a research editor for Railroad Model Craftsman in the 1950’s), he authored many books about prototype railroads. These included: “American Locomotives” in 1941, “The Pennsylvania Railroad, a Pictorial History” in 1947, “Iron Horses American Locomotives 1829-1900” from 1949, “The Collector’s Book of the Locomotive” in 1966, “Down at the Depot, American Railroad Stations from 1831 to 1920” in 1970, “On The Main Line” in 1971 and “Civil War Railroads and Models” published in 1989.

In 1933-1934, Ed was asked to model American trains from the Pennsylvania RR and Illinois Central for the show, which he did to promote the O gauge scale. In 1939, Ed, along with “custom model builders Fred Icken and Joe Fischer, were asked to provide the ‘O’ scale trains and equipment to run on one of the large layouts displayed there in the Railroad Building called ‘Railroads at Work’” for the World’s Fair in New York.

Ed Alexander was also an early tin-plate toy train collector and, along with Bill Krames, was one of the 68 founding charter members of the Train Collectors Association. They first met at Ed’s residence in late 1954, and Ed held TCA Charter Member #4. Ed was also a Charter member of the NMRA and was given the 1965 NMRA Distinguished Service Award. In 1985, he was inducted into the Model Railroad Hall of Fame. He was declared an NMRA Pioneer in Model Railroading in 1994, and was inducted into the ‘O’ Scale Hall of Fame in 2000 at New Orleans. Today, the models that he manufactured and designed bring excellent prices if they can be found.

Ed was given the distinguished Honorary Membership on June 27, 1969 at the 16^th TCA Convention in Clearwater, Florida.

William C. Krames (1918–1998) TCA #CM-6

Bill Krames was one of the founding 68 Charter Members of TCA. According to the minutes of the meeting, “Bill and Ed issued a call in June 1954 to toy train collectors to attend a meeting in Yardley, PA. They diligently and actively promoted the formation of an organization of train collectors during the following months, culminating in October 1954 in Yardley. TCA was founded through their diligence and perseverance. The TCA has grown and succeeded in its purpose of promoting the hobby of collecting and operating old toy trains far beyond all expectations of a grateful association. The association wishes to acknowledge its indebtedness. Don Speidel, Jr., President, Eric Buckley, Jr., Secretary

Bill was the first Vice-President of TCA.

“Krames was also a charter member of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) and received numerous honors, including induction into the Model Railroad Hall of Fame in 1985 and the ‘O’ Scale Hall of Fame in 2000.

He authored DAD’S TRAINS AND GRANDAD’S TOO, a spiral-bound book published in 1958 that showcases selected trains from his personal collection. The book is now a sought-after collector’s item.

While Krames was not directly involved in manufacturing model trains, his influence on the hobby and his contributions to the preservation and promotion of toy train history remain significant. The TCA continues to honor his legacy through its museum, events, and publications.”

On June 27, 1969, he was given Honorary Membership by the BOD at the 16^th National Convention in Clearwater, Florida.

Robert Harvey Hafner (1894–1987) TCA #84-20806

Robert Hafner began working for his father, John C. Hafner, in September 1915. Married in 1917, Bob says that he actually maintained a good relationship with Ogden Coleman of American Flyer, who sent a gift for his wedding, which was not the commonly shared information about Flyer and Hafner relationships.

Bob’s father, John, began making toys in 1900 and designed a clockwork motor. John incorporated W.F. Hafner & Co. in 1903 along with a partner, Bill Crawford. John went on to begin making trains and built a small business. He went in with W.O. Coleman, and they began making trains together under the name American Flyer. So AF started as Hafner!

Bob got an Ives train from his father at Christmas in 1903. He developed a wide knowledge of toy trains and their origins, which he freely shared. He worked at an early age for Hafner, then began working on other endeavors after he left Hafner in 1927 or 1928. Bob’s brother, (also) John, ran the company until its sale to Wynadotte in 1944.

“Hafner trains, including those associated with Robert, were known for their durability, low price point (often under $3), and unique clockwork (wind-up) mechanisms. The company never produced electric trains, though some locomotives were later retrofitted with surplus Marx electric motors. Robert Hafner managed the company until 1951, when he retired and sold the business to All Metal Products Company (Wyandotte), which continued production until 1956. After Wyandotte’s bankruptcy, Louis Marx acquired the Hafner tooling and produced trains in Mexico under the Plastimarx brand, using the original Hafner dies.”

Bob was given the distinguished Honorary Membership in 1984 at the TCA Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, and a TCA #84-20806.

Eleanor J. Rath (1915–2000) TCA #82-17277

Eleanor was the wife of Earl E. Rath, TCA #61-529. Earl was TCA President in 1969-1970. Their daughters are Jeannie and Carolyn F. Rath (they all lived in Oak Park, IL.) “Earl’s legacy is tied to the preservation and promotion of model railroading through organizational leadership. Eleanor Rath was also involved in the TCA, notably editing and printing early issues of the Train Collectors Quarterly and National Newsletter. While specific details about her direct involvement are limited, she is noted as one of only three women to be honored with this distinction and the only couple to that point (alongside her husband) to receive it. She was likely awarded the Honorary Membership in 1982 at the 28th TCA Convention in Denver, Colorado, as indicated by her TCA number 82-17277. Her quiet dedication and support behind the scenes were instrumental in advancing the hobby, particularly through her assistance in producing early TCA publications. ”

I am looking for additional information on Eleanor and Earl. When was she nominated for this award? As a child, I met her and her husband Earl, but I don’t know the history behind her nomination for Honorary Member.

**President Reagan’s WhistleStop Tour 1984**

Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) TCA #76-10096

Just before taping a Christmas special for NBC on Dec. 12, 1982, President Reagan wistfully mentioned to a group of reporters and children that he had wanted a toy train for Christmas ever since he was a little boy. Word got out, and the trains started rolling in, literally.

A popular model train in LaRue Shempp’s museum collection was a No. 1 gauge German LGB owned by President Ronald Reagan. Because most of the trains from his Presidency were valued at more than $50, they had to be turned over to the General Services Administration, which loaned this one to the Shempp Museum for display. (The Shempp Collection)

Ronald Reagan was given the distinguished Honorary Membership in 1976, in addition to an Honorary TCA Membership, TCA #76-10096.

Louis J. Redman (1916–2002) TCA #CM-3

Lou Redman, known as Mr. TCA, was a charter member bestowed since he was one of the original 68 members, the first Secretary/Treasurer, and Train Collectors Quarterly (TCQ) Editor. Besides the many committees that he served on, he was TCA Historian and authored over 200 articles in the TCQ. The early issues of TCQ were typed, edited, and printed in Lou’s home with the assistance of his wife, Jody. Lou’s first typewriter is housed in the National Toy Train Library Archives, along with a humorous note about it being “a real clunker”. For a great overview of the first 40 years of TCA, check out Lou’s article, “40 Years of TCA (1954-1994)”, in the October 1994 (Vol. 40, No. 5) issue of Train Collectors Quarterly. #25DaysTCA

Lou was honored by the NMRA with a Pioneer Award. Redman, Louis J. (D). [2009] Charter member and a founder of the Train Collectors Association. He held many posts in TCA and was known as “Mr. Toy Trains.”

“His personal connection to the hobby is further honored through a 2004 TCA convention car produced by Lionel, which was created to commemorate him, highlighting his lasting impact on the community. Despite the sentimental and historical value of such items, experts note that convention memorabilia like this car typically do not appreciate significantly in monetary value, though they remain cherished within the collector community. “

On June 26, 1970, Lou was given the distinguished Honorary Member at the 16^th TCA Convention in Chicago. The minutes read “Lou Redman will be an Honorary Member for his devoted efforts for the Association over the last 16 years”.

Richard L. Stafford (1917–2004) TCA #59-371

Richard L. Stafford, TCA #59-371, lived in Indianapolis, Indiana. That put him into the MidWest Division. He’s listed as an Honorary Member in the 1975 TCA Directory, after Ed Alexander, John Hafner, Bill Krames, Lou Redman, and Maury Romer. His last listing in the Directory is in 2005, where he lives at 1901 W. Coil St, 46260. His interests are listed as Tinplate, History, R.R. Min.

“Dick” Stafford was a prolific writer for the fledgling Train Collectors Quarterly. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in French. A Senior Management Analyst, he worked for the Indiana State Employment Service for over 45 years. Mr. Stafford was an active and enthusiastic toy train collector, and he was a member of several organizations related to model railroading.

Jody Redman (1924–2008) TCA #H-03-55985

And then there is Josephine Thomas Redman. Jody, the wife of Lou Redman, was the mother to Ruth, Lou, Peg, and me. While Dad moved around in his infamous train suit (whether suit #1 or suit #2, but that is another story), she maintained the family unit. She also edited and printed the first years of the Train Collectors Quarterly, the National Newsletter, and the TCA Directory.

Now, it must be noted that “printed” is not what it is today. She operated and maintained a huge Multilith printing machine that Dad had bought and brought into the basement at 251 Dickson Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. The first machine was a small hand-crank desktop version. The second, still a hand crank, sat on the floor and held more paper. Then “technology” improved, and the second machine was electric. (But still nothing even close to the machines of today.)

Many hours were spent churning (kerchuncking) out all the publications during those early years of TCA. After getting us kids off to bed, she would retire to the basement to crank out all the quarterlies and newsletters. She and Lou are the only couple honored in this fashion. She was inconspicuous in her dealings with everyone, remaining in the background, which was her preference.

Jody was given the distinguished Honorary Member in 2003, becoming one of only three women to be so designated. In addition, the dedication page of “Lionel Standard of the World,” Edition 1, was made to Lou and Jody Redman. Jody was presented with a TCA Annual Award caboose in 1966 tcq61-3.pdf (tcatrains.org)

**Caricature of Betty Kimball by her husband, Ward.**

Betty Kimball (1912–2010) TCA #09-64264

Betty Kimball was the wife of 1974 TCA President Ward Kimball, TCA #CM41. Betty created and preserved cartoons and trains for future generations. Betty supported all that her husband, Ward, did. Ward, as one of Disney’s 9 Old Men, was directly responsible for rekindling Walt Disney’s love of railroading, and this led to Disneyland and the modern theme park as you see it today. Betty worked her way up through the ranks of Walt Disney’s animators and was always an ambassador for trains.

Gerald R. Ford (1913–2006)

The minutes of the BOD meeting of June 23, 1976, state that Bill Tunstall moved and Ben Dick seconded that (the following TCA members) Walter White, Gilbert Tosch, Eric Buckley Jr., Jim Crone, Gordon Hinkle, Lou Redman, and Jacques Gersenberger present to the American People through President Ford, Set #1 of the TCA Bicentennial Special (Set). And that an Honorary Membership be accorded to President Ford. The Smithsonian Museum and the Gerald Ford Museum have been contacted for comment. (January, 2026)

Perhaps Gerald was so honored, but more in-depth research needs to be done to determine how and when the presentation was made.