2020 TCA NATIONAL CONVENTION TO JA X The TCA’s Southern Division and the North Florida Village Collectors Club (a member of the National Council of 56 Clubs) invite you join us in Jacksonville, Florida, for a first-time event—a joint Convention/Gathering of TCA members and Department 56 Collectors! Combine a love of Trains and Dept. 56 with an opportunity to visit Florida’s “First Coast,” where you can experience a different side of Florida, combining both relaxation and adventure, and you choose just how active you want to be. Enjoy our 22 miles of beaches, extensive park system, world-class fishing, historic neigh- borhoods, vibrant street arts scene, creative coastal cuisine, delicious craft beer, vibrant nightlife and so much more! 2020 National TCA Convention Hotel Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront 225 East Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32202 $ NIGHT (904) 588-1234 TCA RATE: 140 /+ TAXES To get the TCA rate online, go here: bit.ly/TCArate The Hyatt Regency is a four-star hotel in the heart of Jacksonville, close to numerous attractions such as the historic Art Deco Florida Theatre, the Museum of Modern Art, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, the Museum of Science and History (MOSH), and the breathtaking Friendship Fountain. It is also near numerous restaurants including Morton’s Steakhouse (in the hotel), entertainment options, hairdryers, an in-room safe, Cowford Chophouse—a block from the hotel in an and complimentary wireless and wired internet access. elegantly restored historic bank building with a rooftop Between events, enjoy some of the multitude of tours bar that has spectacular views of the St. Johns River and we have planned or take a swim in the outdoor pool, iconic Main Street bridge, Intuition Ale Works (excellent work out in the fitness center or rent bicycles to explore. food and taproom), and many others to cover just about If bicycles aren’t your thing, the hotel also operates a every type of cuisine and taste. complimentary shuttle that will take you anywhere within Hotel amenities include a business center and a three-mile radius. For anything beyond that, taxis, Uber spacious rooms featuring iPod docking stations and and Lyft are widely available as well as the hotel’s limo/ flat-screen televisions with cable and a variety of town car service. May 2020 For the latest updates, please check www.TCAconvention.org Nat’l Headquarters News 37 We need several benefactors to donate high-end items to include Welcome Party and Silent Auction in our silent & live auction events. Please contact Fred Gorbell Enjoy a view of the St. Johns River and the iconic Main Street Bridge ASAP to arrange your tax-deductible gift: 904-654-5258. from the Hyatt terrace and then come inside to enjoy a delicious offering of Hyatt specialties as well as a cash bar. There will be a wide variety of Be sure to visit the SD website (tcasoutherndivision.org) to trains and D56 items up for bid in our silent auction. All Convention gather- order your souvenir D56 water tower—While supplies last! ings will include live entertainment from a variety of our multi-talented local musicians—including everything from classical to big band, piano, wind How do I get to Jacksonville? quartets, brass and even ragtime! Arriving by plane? Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is just 15 The Marketplace and Public Displays miles (20-30 minutes) from the Hyatt. JAX is a relatively small airport with We expect a wide variety of operating layouts (HO, O, S, Std, G, perhaps two terminals but is served by nine major airlines as well as several regional even a Lego layout) that will be running in the Hyatt’s expansive second-floor carriers. Taxis, Uber and Lyft are all readily available and an inexpensive lobby over the course of the week. There will also be displays of Department way to get to the hotel. East Coast Transportation is the Hyatt Regency 56 Village vignettes with an accompanying contest you can help judge. Jacksonville Riverfront’s exclusive ground transportation provider. Their Our Marketplace will set up on Thursday and then open Friday and services include airport shuttles and private cars. For more information, Saturday. We anticipate over 150 tables, as numerous train and D56 vendors reservations, or group rates, please call 904-722-9494. are already signing up. If you want tables, please sign up soon—particularly Arriving by train? Jacksonville’s Amtrak Station is about 6 miles (15 if you want electricity at your table(s). See Marketplace Chair Mike Setzer's minutes) from the Hyatt. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are all readily available here contact information below. as well. See above for group transportation options and/or reservations Kids Club Driving? I-95 runs north and south through downtown Jacksonville Kids Club activities are still in the planning stages, but will include a and I-10 begins its east/west route in downtown Jacksonville, so no matter supervised play area and other activities as well as a special “Kids Club what direction you are coming from the Hyatt is easy to find. Less than two Banquet” Saturday evening with pizza and chicken nuggets! miles from I-95 or 5 miles from I-10, the Hyatt is located on the Saint Johns Bingo Night! River and is adjacent to a city owned parking garage with plenty of space. New to regular TCA convention-goers, Bingo Night is a staple of D56 Parking for hotel guests is $15 per day and will be charged to your room. Gatherings. Graciously sponsored by the National Council of 56 Clubs Garage clearance is 6’7” and nearby parking is available for oversized (NCC56), each participant is provided with up to six cards with additional vehicles, trailers, etc. Valet parking is also available. cards available for purchase. Refreshments are available and numerous What to see and do prizes will be awarded. Join us for a ton-of-fun Friday evening! Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the continental United Banquet and Live Auction States. With more than 840 mi² within its jurisdiction, Jacksonville has The Banquet will begin Saturday evening with cocktails among the everything from beaches to golf, history, culture, and the largest urban operating layouts and D56 displays in the Hyatt lobby. We will then move park system in the country. Be sure to check our tour options, particularly into the Hyatt’s Grand Ballroom for a sumptuous feast and delightful (but two tours we expect to fill up quickly, numbers 32 and 33—the Day in St. short ☺) program followed by a delicious dessert. In addition to the live Augustine and the ride on the St. Johns River Taxi, followed by dinner at the auction, there will be numerous door prizes and a special prize for one River Club with its spectacular 35th floor, 360-degree view of Jacksonville. person from each table. Nobody will leave empty-handed! Of course this Many additional sights are included in our extensive assortment of event will also feature live music! tours, or you can visit them on your own. Go to visitjacksonville.com for Sunday Morning Closing Breakfast an in-depth look at the options. There’s something for everyone! If you This is another D56 Gathering tradition that will be new to TCA mem- feel like you just can’t visit Florida without saying “Hi!” to Mickey Mouse, bers, but please consider closing out your stay in Jacksonville at a fabulous plan to include a pre- or post-convention trek to Walt Disney World—it’s breakfast with old and new friends. In addition to wonderful food, there will just 150 miles (2.5 hours) south of Jacksonville. be prizes, drawings, and fun for everyone! Below is a partial list of Seminars we will be offering on a wide range of train and village display topics! Pullman Porters, Jacksonville, and Civil Rights—by railroad The Florida Railway: Fernandina to Cedar Key—by author & historian historian William F. Howes, Jr. John Leynes A Magical Christmas Village: Converting and Creating in White, Silver, Seminar Topic TBD—by D56 specialist Brandon Taylor and Gold—by Gary Powers Northeast Florida Railroad History—by story teller Larry Brennan Using Hot Wire & Foam in your displays—by John and Pat Ehrenreich How to use Static Grass on your Displays—by Steve Baxendale Add Realistic Lighting to your Scenes—Steve Vertescher Convention Chair—plus Steve Johnson [email protected] 305-335-1752 Welcome Party/Banquet ◦ Registration—9am–1pm Maria Penry [email protected] ◦ 717-687-8623, ext. 113 Registration—Evenings Stephen Molnar [email protected] 904-524-4015 and Weekends ◦ Trading Hall Mike Setzer [email protected] ◦ 954-476-1058 Tours & Trips Larry Shughart [email protected] ◦ H: 904-292-3000 C: 352-284-1250 Auction Fred Gorbell [email protected] ◦ H: 904-641-6391 C: 904-654-5258 Seminars Steve Baxendale [email protected] ◦ H: 904-288-0870 C: 904-631-1120 CONVENTION CONTACTS So. Division D56 Water Tower Mike Mills [email protected] ◦ 612-382-0325 38 Nat’l Headquarters News For the latest updates, please check www.TCAconvention.org May 2020 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR TCA 2020 NATIONAL CONVENTION/DEPARTMENT 56 GATHERING SATURDAY, JUNE 20 THURSDAY, JUNE 25 4pm–8pm Registration: Hyatt 2nd Floor Skybridge 7am–4pm Registration: Hyatt 2nd Floor Skybridge 8am–4pm Board of Directors Meeting, St Johns Room SUNDAY, JUNE 21 8am–6pm Tour #25: Jacksonville Train Layouts/North & 7am–9am Registration: Hyatt 2nd Floor Skybridge Beach Canceled 7:30am–6:30pm Tour #1: Royal Palm Train Mt Dora to Tavares 8am–7pm Tour #26: Jacksonville Railfan Tour 7:00am–5:00pm Tour #2: Deep Sea Fishing Canceled 8am–12pm Tour #27: D56 Home Tours Canceled 8:30am–1pm Tour #4A: Jax Zoo/Botanical Gardens Canceled 9am–10:30am Tour #28: Walk/Jog the Bridges Riverwalk 1:15pm–5:30pm Tour #4B: Jacksonvillle Zoo & Botanical Gardens Treaty Oak 12pm–5pm Tour #31: Jax Micro Brew Bus Tour 10:30am–5:30pm Tour #3: Jacksonville Beach Canceled 12pm–4pm 3pm–7pm Registration: Hyatt 2nd Floor Skybridge Set up Train Market Place 1pm–6:00pm Tour #29: Shopping/St.