The Train Collectors Association (TCA) was founded in Yardley, Pennsylvania in 1954. In the same year, collectors on the West Coast met and organized the Western Division. The result of these two meetings was the formation of the Train Collectors Association. Its mission is 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.