Joining the Train Collectors Association or visiting us at the National Toy Train Museum and National Toy Train Library are some of the best ways to support us. Of course, your charitable donations, including tax-deductible cash gifts and donations of items from our wish lists, are always appreciated. Discover all the ways you can give to the National Toy Train Library.
While some of our donors choose to make their gifts to the National Toy Train Museum at an organizational level, you may direct your monetary donations to the Library Fund by giving through this page.
Your donation of any amount allows the National Toy Train Library to continue our work of maintaining the fantastic collection of research and reference materials in our care—and making those materials available to researchers and the general public!
Our staff is constantly working to refine the collection, and that means we often have duplicate or used materials to offer enthusiasts.
These items can be invaluable additions to your home toy train reference library. All proceeds support the NTTL’s collection!
Did you know that the National Toy Train Library is always looking for certain research materials to enhance our library collections?
Please browse our frequently updated wish list of original (not reproduction) items that we are actively seeking, and let us know what you have!
For toy train enthusiasts local to Strasburg, PA, we would love to have your help with various library projects, including cataloging, data entry, marketing, book sale organization, etc.
Take a look at all of the opportunities we have for volunteers, and call (717) 687-8623 ext. 108 or email us!
All material donations should be arranged in advance.
Please do not mail or drop off materials without contacting library staff ahead of time.
Prospective donors are encouraged to contact the National Toy Train Library for more information or get started by completing and submitting our online Library Donation Form.
The National Toy Train Research Library is located on the premises of the National Toy Train Museum in Strasburg, PA. The library is currently open weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm . We strongly encourage anyone who is interested in visiting the library to call ahead to make an appointment. We invite all toy train enthusiasts—including kids—to stop in and see what we have to offer.
| Monday | 8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Attention Researchers: Before visiting, we encourage you to call ahead to set up a research consultation meeting with the library. (717) 687-8623 ext. 108
And don’t forget to follow the National Toy Train Library on Facebook!
The National Toy Train Library is overseen by a librarian and a committee of volunteers, who specialize in toy trains from various manufacturers and time periods. The Library is always happy to assist researchers and TCA members both in the physical library and with questions submitted online.
Call (717) 687-8623 ext. 108 or email with questions.
Wondering if we have a particular resource you’re looking for? Our online catalog—which is regularly updated with new records—provides a glimpse into a significant part of our library holdings.
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.
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.