CClleemm''ss YYoorrkk PPrriimmeerr SSpprriinngg 22001177 Clem’s York Primer© By Richard B."Clem" Clement TCA e-Train Edition Return to TCA e-Train Website . FLASH NEWS BREAKING NEWS: YORK DEALER HALLS (ORANGE AND PURPLE) WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IN APRIL 2017. SATURDAY DEALER HALL HOURS FOR ORANGE AND PURPLE HALLS ARE EXTENDED UNTIL 4PM PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND DONUTS & COFFEE. And now, as of April, 2017, the Eastern Division York Meet will be open to John Q. Public. On Friday, April 28th, from 9 AM to 6:30 PM, and again on Saturday, April 29th, from 9 AM to 4 PM, the public will be able to enter the Dealer Halls (Orange Hall and Purple Hall) and watch the layouts in the Black Hall. There is an excellent article in the latest edition of Classic Toy Trains (CTT) by Lou Palumbo, #83-19823, that talks about the public participation and what it means. The article, “By Popular Demand” in its entirety is on the Eastern Division website at http://easterntca.com/. He wrote an earlier article for CTT “York the mother of all train shows” that highlights the trains and layouts at York. Well done, Lou. John Zobel, President of Eastern Division, shared that there will be a reception on Thursday morning for the York County Visitors Bureau, that a local television station is expected, and that advertising will be in local papers. ALEXANDERS RESTAURANT IS NOW MARCO’S PIAZZA SPRING 2017 EDITION EDITED BY: SANDY CLEMENT AND CAROL MCGINNIS Bring a guest to York, extend an invitation to join TCA and together we can double our membership numbers. Never drive to York without a guest with you Thinking outside the train box! What are you doing to recruit new members to the Train Collectors Association? Did you know that inviting a guest to attend the York Meet is the fastest way to increase the association membership? Consider inviting a guest to the next York Meet because we think they'll like what they see and want to join TCA to continue attending the meets. Invite more than one guest because there is no limit on the number of guests you may bring. Click here for the guest form. TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS There is a NEW TCA MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY for new folks! Do you have friends who have been thinking about joining the TCA but can't seem to take the plunge? Our new "Trial Membership" option gives anyone over 18 the chance to join for six months at a reduced rate ($20.00). They will be able to attend TCA meets, receive our publications, and generally take a "test drive" of life as a TCA member. At the end of their non-renewable six- month trial period, they will have the option to join permanently. Application may be made at certain major events such as the York meet, or by contacting TCA Membership Coordinator, Amy Fry, at 717-687-8623 or email at: [email protected]. Amy will provide information and will process your application. To apply at the York meets, stop by the TCA booth either in the Silver or Orange Halls. Your trial membership application will be processed immediately and you will be eligible to enter all of the halls as a member to enjoy the full "York Experience". TABLE of CONTENTS If you click on a blue underlined description you will be linked to that portion of this document. Or, If you do a Ctrl-F and put in the description it will take you to that section. Happy hunting! New This York Page 5 The Mission Statement Page 6 Eastern Division Presidents Message Page 6 York Meet Registrar’s Message Page 7 York Meet Director Report April 2017 Page 9 York Train Meet Made Easy Page NTTM/NTTL Wednesday Open House Page 11 The National Toy Train Museum (search NTTM) Pages 10, 11, 24, 25 The National Toy Train Library (search NTTL) Pages 11, 25 The National Business Office (search NBO) Pages 11, 14 York Meet FAQ’s Page 11 Overview of the Eastern Division Train Meet Page 12 General Info/Available Services/Activities Page 14 York Show Numbers (Unofficial) Page 15 Kids Korner (search Kids) Page 13 First Aid Station Page 17 Travel Directions Page 18 RV Accommodations Page 17 Bus Trips Page 18 Accommodations/Hotels/Motels Page 20 Wifi is Available Page 23 Daily Schedule of Events Page 24 Future York Meet Dates Page 30 TCA Convention Page 30 Clem’s York Primer Part II Page 30 TTML Reports (How we worry) Page 43 Yorking Fall 2015 (Clem’s “Report”) Page 54 Train People AND Non-Train People Needs Page 59 GREAT FINDS / TALL TALES / and TRUTHS Page 61 SPRING YORK 2015 Page 65 Clem’s York Primer Part III Page 81 Map of the York Fairgrounds (search map of the York Meet) Page 95 * NEW Page | 5 NEW THIS YORK • Saturday meet DEALER HALLS stay open until 4pm for additional shopping time. • New meet pricing structure. For the very reasonable attendance charges, 3 days of playing trains and free parking, the Eastern Division York Meet is the best deal since sliced bread! • Setup time for members Thursday morning moves to 9:30am • Single width strollers allowed. • Location map in the York Registration pamphlet is much improved. The badge pickup location is now clearly marked. • NO Shuttle bus service to the Mall and outlets • As always, York is a great place to meet and greet both new-to-you trainiacs and old friends. • Also, members who bring their smartphones can try out the MTH WIFI DCS on the O Gauge layout. See the article (Museum Technology Takes a Leap Through The Air) that was in the Fall e*Train at http://tcaetrain.org/2d- articles/operating/MuseumTechnology/index.shtml for details. RETURN TO TABLE of CONTENTS Page | 6 The Mission Statement of Clem’s Primer: Yeah, there really is a reason for all this stuff! Clem’s Primer is a composite of the personal experiences and views of several attendees and is designed to enrich Eastern Division, TCA’s York Week Experience. The Eastern Division, TCA, York Meet Notice is the official document for the York Meet. The Primer is not sponsored by any organization; business or company nor does it sell, endorse or promote a particular product. If you have a question about an activity or event listed herein, please contact the listed sponsor. Events off the York Fairgrounds/NTTM site are not TCA sponsored. This version of the Primer negates all previous versions. In my view, York is much more than a train-meet. It is about the gathering of families, friends and acquaintances. -Your TCA Family- This Primer highlights the TCA Eastern Division York Train Meet; the TCA National Toy Train Museum, National Toy Train Library and National Business Office Activities; member meetings and specified train group activities; non-TCA sponsored train events locally; local attractions; restaurants, tips on navigating the events and the locale. For the price of admission which includes free parking, this is the best deal for a 3-day train meet in the universe. My hope is that the Primer will help you enjoy the week as much as I do. - Clem - “New info, updated from the previous version, is presented in RED” RETURN TO TABLE of CONTENTS Eastern Division Presidents Message: John Zobel: I I wish to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! We at the Eastern Division-TCA are looking forward with great anticipation to some new developments coming this year. The first change to the Division will be three new Board members as elected by our membership last Fall. I welcome Frank Nichols and Nicholas Tentzeras as new Directors-at-Large to the Board and Dave Eadie as the new WB&A Chapter Representative. Former WB&A Chapter Representative Dan Danielson was elected Vice President. Retiring from the Board are Sam Geiser, Lee Wood and Bill McCluskey who have served as Board members for several years and were an integral part of the success of the Eastern Division. This new Board will be responsible for moving forward with the second new opportunity this year: opening the York show to the general public. For the first time the York show will be admitting the public into our Dealer halls, only, as allowed by Pennsylvania state tax law. Our Member halls will continue to be open to TCA members only. The public admittance will begin at 9:00 AM Friday and continue to 4:00 PM Saturday of York week. I encourage those TCA members attending the York show to bring family, friends and neighbors to enjoy all the benefits of our fantastic York show. Public attendees will be able to join TCA on the spot at TCA booths in the Silver and Orange halls to gain immediate admittance to all of the Member halls as well. Refer to our website: www.easterntca.com or call the Registration Help Desk: 1-814-928-0196 if you need any further information. Page | 7 Eastern Division President’s Message (continued) I am happy to report our TCA is alive and well and growing membership again after a few years of decline. Our National TCA organization has created new classes of membership to encourage more people to join as well as offering the opportunity for previous members to rejoin with no penalties. Please contact the National Business Office: 1-717-687-8623 for further information. It is now up to all of us TCA members and toy train enthusiasts to spread the word and share the enjoyment that comes from participating in our hobby.