Support TCA: Give, Join, Volunteer, Visit

There are a multitude of ways to support the Train Collectors Association, as well as the National Toy Train Museum and National Toy Train Library that we maintain for the love of toy trains. Each of these opportunities falls within four main support categories, and we invite you to choose all the ways that work for you as a donor, member, and friend of TCA. After all, without your support, we would not be able to do the work that we do.

TCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible under federal and Pennsylvania law. Have questions? Please contact us at (717) 687-8976.

Train Collectors Association Mission Statement

To develop an appreciation of and to preserve an important segment of history—Tinplate Toy Trains—through research, education, community outreach, fellowship, establishment of collecting standards, and to promote the growth and enjoyment of collecting and operating toy, model and scale trains.

GIVE

Since the cost of services provided to members exceeds dues revenue, we seek additional funds to close the gap. It is your donations that allow TCA to continue its level of services and maintain organizational stability. There are many, many ways to direct your gifts to the Train Collectors Association—including giving of your time. However, your financial support is always deeply appreciated.

Provide Your Financial Support Today

From supporting our Annual Appeal to including TCA in your estate planning, we have giving opportunities that fit with your financial situation and goals. See all the ways you can contribute funds to TCA.

Learn More

Donate Objects to the Museum

The National Toy Train Museum is always looking for specific trains and other display objects to enhance our collection. Please browse our frequently updated wish list of original (not reproduction) items that we are actively seeking!

Donate Objects

Donate Books to the Library

Did you know that the National Toy Train Library is always looking for certain research materials to enhance our library collections? You can check out our wish list and find more information on the page linked below.

Donate Library Materials

Heritage Memberships

Long-time TCA members, age 60 or over, may apply for this dues-free level of membership. With a one-time donation to the Heritage Fund, you will continue to enjoy full regular membership privileges without annual dues.

Learn How to Apply

Buy a Brick

Want to be an enduring part of toy train history? You can customize a brick with your name or another short dedication message to be added to the exterior landscape outside the National Toy Train Museum. Get the details and order yours today!

Learn More

Share Your Online Shopping Purchases

Several online merchants have donation programs that contribute a small percentage to an organization you specify when you make a purchase. Find out how to support TCA with your Amazon and eBay purchases, or start your online shopping through Shop for Museums.

View AmazonSmile How-To Information

View ebay for Charities How-To Information

JOIN

Not yet a TCA member? Joining the organization and paying yearly dues is one of the easiest ways to help sustain our mission. Plus, you get a long list of exciting membership benefits. Get the details and sign up today.

Become a TCA Member

VISIT

One of the best ways to support the TCA’s educational mission is to visit the National Toy Train Museum and National Toy Train Library with your friends and family. And don’t forget to shop the Museum Store!

Plan Your Visit

VOLUNTEER

For toy train enthusiasts local to Strasburg, PA, we offer several ways to get involved as a volunteer at TCA Headquarters. From serving on the Museum Committee to helping with various library projects or supporting the Association, we endlessly appreciate your willingness to share your time and talents!

Volunteer in the Museum

Volunteer in the Library

Our members around the USA can also get involved with leadership opportunities within the TCA organization closer to home. Get connected with your TCA Local Division. Learn More

Shop Amazon and Help TCA

TCA members who shop at Amazon.com can have each of their normal purchases generate a modest payment to TCA! And it won’t cost you anything!

The Train Collectors Association is now a participant with AmazonSmile, which is a special website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com.

The difference is that when customers shop at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

The process is simple. Just search for and select Train Collectors Association when you sign up and shop at smile.amazon.com.

You use your regular Amazon.com username and password, but when you log in to smile.amazon.com, you’ll see that you are supporting TCA with your purchases:

Note that if you just log in to the regular amazon.com, this benefit does not operate.

There are no costs to either you or TCA, but TCA benefits!

This is a great way for TCA to earn extra cash to offset costs, so sign up today to help support TCA.

* Note: TCA is not a party to any of your Amazon transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors.

Helping TCA with your ebay purchases when you use PayPal

If you’re an ebay user and have a PayPal account you use to make payments, you can designate a donation for TCA when you’re checking out — any amount, small or large.
If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can pre-designate a percentage of your sales to be donated automatically in your name to TCA as long as the purchaser pays with their PayPal account.

In both cases, you will receive a donation receipt from the PayPal Giving Fund, and enjoy applicable tax advantages.

How to do it:

Click on the image above, or use this link. This will take you to ebay, where you will see the following page (log in to ebay if you are not already):

This offers TCA as an option. Click on the “Add to My Charities” button where indicated with the red arrow. Thereafter, when you make a purchase, at checkout you will be offered the option to make a donation to TCA in any amount of your choosing. Small amounts add up, larger ones are great! It’s always up to you!

The option will appear at the lower part of your checkout page, something like this:

If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can allocate a portion of your sales proceeds to be donated to TCA. Look at the green arrow marked “Optional” above to see how to do it. Details on how ebay calculates the donation may be read here. This is a wonderful way to share the financial benefits of your hobby with the organization that promotes it!

An added benefit to TCA is that these donations are not subject to normal processing fees, so that makes your donation work harder!

* Note. TCA is not a party to any of your eBay transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors. PayPal issues the receipts to you for your donation, not TCA.