The Train Collectors Association would like to welcome you to the 71st TCA National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, also known as the Sunshine State. Jacksonville is located on the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Coast and is known for its beautiful beaches. The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront is our host hotel and is located 15 miles from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). There is easy access to the St. Johns River along with a river taxi providing a scenic way to enjoy and explore the river. The Jacksonville Riverwalks offer a variety of shops & restaurants and is within walking distance of the hotel.
Restaurants Close to the Hotel
BB's Restaurant Bar & Grill - https://www.bbsrestaurant.com/
The Bearded Pig - https://www.thebeardedpigbbq.com/
Morton Steak House - https://www.mortons.com/
225 E. Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202
1-904-588-1234
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/JAXRJ/G-TCA1
Reservations for Hotel must be made by June 2, 2025
TCA Hotel Room Rate
Queen - $159 plus taxes Deluxe King - $169 plus taxes
TCA Parking Garage Rate
Overnight Guests - $15 overnight for hotel guests with in/out privileges (must have license plate number when checking into room)
Daily Visiting Guests - $12 per day with no in/out privileges
Hotel Website - https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/jaxrj-hyatt-regency-jacksonville-riverfront
Complimentary wireless internet access is available in guest rooms
Convention Refund Policy
The Registration Fee is non-refundable. Once tickets for tours are purchased, the only way a refund will be given is if the tour is cancelled or if the convention team is able to resell the tickets. If we are unable to resell the tickets, there will be no refund. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Member Registration is non-refundable
TCA Member spouses, significant others, companions and dependent children, under the age of 16.
Guests of a TCA Member who is not considered a Spouse/Companion or Dependent Child
#1 - Day in Savannah
7:30 am - 5 pmIncluded: Transportation, Trolley Bus, Riverboat w/ Brunch BuffetThis Overview Trolley Tour takes you through beautiful historic Savannah on this 100-minute narrated trip. Be on the lookout, because characters from Savannah's past like to hop aboard the trolley from time-to-time! Fun for all ages.Next stop is the Riverboat Cruise, a classic Southern tradition you don't want to miss! This 1- 1/2 hour brunch cruise, featuring the best views of historic River Street, rivals any other brunch in Savannah. Enjoy all your favorite breakfast and lunch selections all while being entertained and enlightened by the narration of landmarks along the way. This riverboat is equipped with an elevator for easy access to upper levels.One-way driving time - 2 hoursHandicap Accessible - Yes
#2A - Kennedy Space Center - Adult Ticket
7 am - 6 pmIncluded: Transportation, Space CenterEnjoy this all-day adventure to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is organized into Mission Zones where attractions and tours are grouped by chronological era. From the dawn of space exploration to current and ongoing missions, you can get an up-close, hands-on feel for the story of humans in space. There are several restaurants for you to choose from and the on-site tour buses are ADA accessible. May require some walking.One-way driving time - 2 hours 15 minutesHandicap Accessible - Yes
#2C - Kennedy Space Center - Children 3-11 Ticket
#3 - North Florida Railway Museum & Military Museum
7:45 am - 2 pmIncluded: Transportation, Entrance FeesLocated only an hour south of Jacksonville, The North Florida Railway Museum was established in 1989 to preserve, restore, and display the vast railroad history of North Florida via its equipment, library, models, various displays and through the promotion of railroad safety.A short distance away is the Military Museum of North Florida. The Military Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich military history of our region. Through their extensive collections and exhibits, they aim to educate the public about the significant roles played by local military heroes throughout our nation's history.One-way driving time - 1 hourThis tour is NOT ADA Compliant
#4 - Kingsley Plantation
9 am - 2 pmIncluded - TransportationThe Kingsley Plantation is located along the Fort George River on Fort George Island and is a historical landmark in Florida. Explore the grounds at Kingsley Plantation, which include the slave quarters, barn, waterfront, planter's house, kitchen house, and interpretive garden.Lunch is on your own at the family-owned Seafood Kitchen.The tour will require a lot of walking.One-way driving time - 45 minutesHandicap Accessible - Yes
Meet & Greet Reception
Meet & Greet7:00 pm - 8:00 pmNo Charge
#5 - Daytona Speedway & Roundhouse South
7:30 am - 4:30 pmIncluded - Transportation, AdmissionGet up-close and behind the scenes at the World Center of Racing with this 60-minute tour. Also included is the Motorsport Hall of Fame, showcasing spectacular displays honoring great achievers in all forms of motorsports.Note: This is a cashless establishment. No cash accepted.Next stop is lunch at Aunt Catfish on the River, a family owned and operated restaurant. Lunch is on your own and not included in the price of the tour.Last stop is a visit to the Roundhouse South Train Shop, where you will find a wide selection of "O" gauge products including MTH & Lionel.One-way driving time - 1-1/2 hoursHandicap Accessible - Yes
#6 - South Jacksonville Train Layouts
8:00 am - 4:30 pmIncluded - Transportation, admission and box lunchLloyd Lippert - One of the premier collectors and operators of Gilbert American Flyer S Gauge trains. You will enjoy this vintage themed layout featuring pristine quality Gilbert trains operating on traditional track. The layout is tastefully landscaped with vintage Plasticville and Ertl buildings to represent Lloyd's hometown in South Dakota. The walls display Llyod's Museum quality collection. This is a must see for CNW fans.Jacksonville Terminal Railroad Club - This HO Gauge layout includes dozens of scenes that are custom models of places around the Northern Florida Region. The main passenger terminal is modeled after downtown Jacksonville in the heyday of train travel. All of the supporting express tracks, dining car servicing, locomotive servicing facilities, and the surrounding buildings and highways are historically accurate. This stunning layout operates on two levels and features vintage trains from the FEC, SAL, Southern, ACL, FGE, and other fallen flags that used to frequent Jacksonville. Many of the club members are retired professional railroad men and bring a personal passion to this club.Larry Shughart - The 65' x 35' Northern Florida Railway is one of the largest S Gauge layouts in the country. Featured in Classic Toy Trains, the display includes a huge collection of both vintage and current S Gauge trains. Larry specializes in structures from all manufacturers and eras with over 500 buildings on the layout. You will enjoy Florida themed scenes such as St. Augustine Lighthouse, South Beach Miami, Disney World, Sarasota Circus Grounds, and much more. Larry's house also features a 10'x16' 3-rail O Gauge layout operating five trains around 50 buildings. There is a 12'x14' Lego layout with three trains, and a large Garden Gauge outdoor railroad welcomes you at the front porch. Inside his house, Larry has an HO layout "Autumn in the Lehigh Valley"One-way driving time - 30 minutes to 1st stopHandicap Accessible - Yes
#7 - Amelia Island & Fernandina Beach
8:30 am - 4:30 pmIncluded - Transportation, Trolley & Riverboat This historic trolley tour will take you on a journey back in time! You will see the historic downtown Fernandina Beach, Old Town, the Silk-Stocking District, and parts of the north end of Fernandina Beach.From the trolley tour, enjoy lunch at the Brett's Waterway Café which overlooks the Fernandina Harbor and Marina. Lunch is on your own and not included in the price of the tour. Adjacent to the restaurant is the Cumberland Island Tour where we will cruise down the Cumberland River for a narrated tour of Cumberland and Amelia Islands. Discover this narrated history and wildlife on this sightseeing tour.One-way driving time - 1 hourHandicap Accessible - Yes
#8 - Fernandina Beach Layout Tours
6:30 pm - 10:30 pmIncluded - TransportationPeter William's layout consists predominantly of post war with a mixture of old and modern. With 3 loops on the main table and 2 on a second level, it was designed for grandchildren, and all accessories have controls on the facia. The third level consists of American Flyer.Steve Lukefahr has been collecting trains since 1947. His collection consists of Lionel postwar and Lionel Standard Gauge, Pre-war, Standard and O Gauge are on one level with the Polar Express on another level.Both homes have steps inside.Meal is not included. You are encouraged to have dinner prior to the tour.One-way driving time - 45 minutesHandicap Accessible - Steps
#9 - Clark & Ilene Vegazo & Bushnell Station
7:30 am - 5 pmIncluded - Transportation, Lunch and Bushnell admissionYou don't want to miss the outstanding collection of Clark & Ilene Vegazo. Both are TCA members and they each have their childhood trains on display, along with the 400+ boxed sets collected over the last 40 years. While Clark has always concentrated on Postwar Lionel, American Flyer and Marx, Ilene loves the flashy bright colors of Prewar, thus began Ilene's quest for Prewar. She also has an extensive HO collection in the house, while Clark's display is in a separate 2K' square foot building. Highlights include a #100 from 1903 which was the very first locomotive that Lionel built; a #224 Super-O Factory Display Layout, along with several large original display posters; the Lionel Boat of 1965; sets like the Girl's sets, both Prewar Blue Comets, the A/F Circus Set, etc. A parallel interest is over 1500 Vintage Slotcars on display along with a large floor layout. Clark and his friends will also be displaying many Classic Cars for your enjoyment. A light meal will be served.The Bushnell Station is the home of the Gulf Coast and Central Florida Railroad (GCCFRR) Museum, a non-profit that provides an educational model railroading experience. The museum occupies part of the building and has 20 trains running inside and outside, including interactive exhibits, and boasts hundreds of trains from all over the world. The rest of the building features operating layouts in all of the popular U.S. model railroading scales and gauges from Z to G, inclusive. A 3-rail O gauge layout and a 2-rail S gauge layout are included, which are the gauges that most of us Southern Division folks collect. In addition, there are static displays of model trains in all of those scales, plus lots of railroad memorabilia, photographs, and artwork hanging on the walls. There is a well-stocked gift shop with train-related merchandise for railfans of all ages. On the property outside of the building is a large G-gauge "Garden" layout plus their largest and most entertaining "model" train which is an 1/8th scale, 7-1/2 gauge, 16-hp gasoline powered train on which visitors can ride a 1/2-mile trip around the perimeter of the property with scenery and many amusing signs along the route.One-way driving time - 2 hoursHandicap Accessible - Yes
#10 - St. Augustine Old Town Trolley
8:30 am - 4 pmIncluded - Transportation, Trolley TicketExplore the best of St. Augustine, America's oldest city, on the narrated Old Town trolley tour. With 22 stops, you will be able to hop on and off the bus to see more than 100 points of interest such as the Old Jail, Flagler College, and Spanish Colonial neighborhoods. One of the highlights of St. Augustine is the original Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. Marvel at hundreds of rare and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives. Great fun for the entire family. Enjoy your lunch on your own. May require walking between stops.One-way driving time - 1 hourHandicap Accessible - Yes
#11 - South Georgia Railfan
7:30 am - 2 pmIncluded - Bus transportationLocated about an hour from Jacksonville, The Folkston Funnel is a double track that serves as the main artery for railroad traffic into and out of Florida. From the viewing platform in Folkston, visitors can see trains passing on their way to and from Jacksonville, Florida, in the south, and a split north of town where trains go west to Waycross, Georgia, and north Savannah. A popular attraction for all train enthusiasts! We will have lunch at the Whistling Dixie Café, a short walking distance from the platform. Lunch is on your own and not included in the price of the tour.One-way driving time - 1 hourHandicap Accessible - Yes
#12 - Cummer Museum & Sweet Pete's Candy
10:15 am - 3:15 pmIncluded - Transportation, Entrance FeesThe Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is the largest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida. Established in 1958, art collector, garden enthusiast, and civic leader Ninah M. H. Cummer bequeathed the art collection and riverfront home she shared with her husband Arthur, to create the Museum. Today, the core collection of 60 pieces from Cummers' estate has grown to include nearly 5,000 works of art. The 2.5 acres of historic gardens, set against the backdrop of the St. Johns River, serve as a centerpiece of beauty for all to enjoy.Sweet Pete's Candy offers a line of handcrafted quality chocolates and over a thousand different types of candies as well as interactive factory tours. Explore this 3-story candy mansion and join in on a candy making class. You can also enjoy lunch inside the shop at the Fizzles and Fare. Lunch is on your own and not included in the price of the tour. The facility is ADA compliant.One-way driving time - 30 minutesHandicap Accessible - Yes
#13 - Penney Farms Train Layout Tour
6:30 pm - 10:30 pmIncluded - TransportationALL ABOARD to Penney Farms, a small community just outside of Jacksonville. This train club is a vital part of the community. The club holds a special place in the heart of the residents, as the model trains invoke a multitude of nostalgic memories from their childhood. Seven tables depict elaborate scenes mirroring Penney Farms and other small towns, which are created to scale. A must see for any train enthusiast.Meal not included. You are encouraged to have dinner prior to tour.One-way driving time - 45 minutesHandicap Accessible - Yes
#14 - Jacksonville Micro Brew Bus Tour
2:30 pm - 6 pmIncluded - Tour TicketsHop on the eco-friendly European Tuk Tuks. This Go-Tuk'n Brewery tour will take you to 4 Micro Breweries around Jacksonville. You will receive the first beer free per stop. You can also see some of the city as you travel to each Brewery on this 3-1/2 hour tour. Lunch is on your own prior to the tour.Handicap Accessible - Yes
#15 - Jacksonville Train Layouts
5 pm - 11 pmIncluded - Transportation, Box DinnerRon Fisher - Since there are no basements in Jacksonville, Ron Fisher bought a 3 car garage with a house out front. This O Gauge layout is 18'x18' and showcases a fascinating two-level operation with trains disappearing and automatically reversing. Ron is the embodiment of "I love Toy Trains" with a fun and joyful display. Don't miss his Life Saver Factory, Mt. Rushmore, and operating Carnival.Ray Gabler - Retired CSX executive and originally off the Chessie System, Ray is a leader in the Jacksonville model railroad community. He organizes weekly get-togethers every Friday morning, often at his own house or others, to play with trains, build layouts, and/or maintain rolling stock. Ray's layout is 2 rail O scale on two different levels, housed inside a large garage. Since Ray grew up in Chambersburg, PA, along the original Cumberland Valley Railway, you will see a lot of PRR trains and buildings, even though you are in the deep South!Fred Gorbell - Over the years, Fred has been in and out of collecting and operating Standard Gauge, Postwar, Prewar, and Modern Lionel. He has now returned to his roots as his first loves were Prewar tinplate and Gilbert S Gauge. Fred has two different layouts with masterfully produced scenery with Department 56 that makes the trains look like catalog covers.Alan Marshall - All pre-war Standard Gauge trains and accessories, displayed and played with like they were meant... on the floor! This unique layout is in a spare bedroom with the wall removed from the next room. You stand in one room and view the trains in the other. The trains are set in vintage buildings, accessories, and scenery, a true tinplate world. Alan also collects and will display a very large collection of vintage toy trucks.One-way driving time - 30 minutes to 1st stopHandicap Accessible - Yes
#16 - Sunset Cruise on St. Johns River
7:30 pm - 9 pmIncludes - Riverboat TicketJust a short walking distance from the hotel, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset, a relaxing cruise and great music on board their large passenger pontoon boat. Wine, beer and nonalcoholic drinks will be sold on board - no outside beverages allowed. You are welcome to bring snacks. Closed toe shoes recommended.
#17 - USS Orleck
9:30 am - 1 pmIncluded - Transportation, Admission, LunchExplore the USS Orleck, a Gearing Class destroyer with 18 battle stars and is one of the most distinguished ships of all time and the most since the end of World War II. Nestled along the banks of the St. Johns River, the USS Orleck stands as a testament to naval history and the brave men and women who served aboard the formidable vessel. Lunch is served on board and is included in the cost of the tour.This tour is not ADA CompliantOne-way driving time - 20 minutesHandicap Accessible - No
Welcome Party - Wednesday June 25th
Cocktail Hour 6pm - 7 pmDinner 7 pm - 10 pmBuffet Style Dinner, Cash Bar, Silent Auction
Annual Banquet - Saturday June 28th
Cocktail Hour 6 pm - 7 pmDinner 7 pm - 10 pm
Annual Banquet - Kid's Meal
Children ages 2-11
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2 DaysBlock of 3 tables6' tables
Electrical Hook-Up Drop Charge
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