Division Information - Ozark Division - Train Collectors Association

ABOUT US

The members of the Ozark Division enjoy collecting trains of all gauges and from all eras. Our activities include attending train meets, sharing our collections with others, attending social events and many other fun activities!

The most important thing about the Ozark Division is the friendships we share and the new friendships we make as part of this great group!

DIVISION HISTORY

The process to form the Ozark Division was started in 1966 and was led by Earl Smarr and Don Lorance and by November 1966 an organizational meeting was held at the American Legion Home in Columbia, MO. In 1967 the Train Collectors Association announced the formation of the Ozark Division to include the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

The first Ozark Division train meet was held on Sunday, January 22, 1967 at Robinwood Swim Club in Creve Coeur, MO. The Ozark Division sponsored train meets all around the division in Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Springfield, MO and St. Louis. Springfield was always a popular venue as it was about half way between St. Louis and Oklahoma City which made travel easy.

In 1970 the Ozark Division membership approved the first Constitution and By-Laws.

The current Ozark Division Constitution and By-Laws.

In 1986 the Ozark Division expanded its boundaries by annexing from the Midwest Division seven counties located adjacent to the greater St. Louis area. Those counties included the southern portion of Macoupin County south of Illinois Highway 16, Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair Counties in southern Illinois.

The Gateway Chapter was formed in 1975 with Charles R. Anyan as the first president.

The Central Missouri Chapter was formed in 1995 with Dick Malon as the first president.

The Heart of America Chapter was formed in 2009 with Andy Dubill as the first president.

NATIONAL CONVENTIONS HOSTED

27th TCA National Convention - 1981 - St. Louis under the direction of Lloyd Taaffe. Convention Banquet car was a Lionel 5700 Oppenheimer Woodside Reefer with a disc glued on the doors signifying the convention.

38th TCA National Convention - 1992 - St. Louis under the direction of Martin W. Glass. Convention Banquet car was a Lionel 52003 Trailer-On-Flat Car.

59th TCA National Convention - 2013 - St. Louis under the direction of Dennis James. Convention Banquet car was a Weaver Woodside Reefer Falstaff-Lemp Brewery #1504 (green-90 and brown-15 versions).

OZARK DIVISION PAST PRESIDENTS

1967 - Earl Smarr

1968 - Doug Bourner

1969 - Clarence Miles

1970 - Arthur Paschen

1971 - Byron Arnold

1972 - Charles Freeman

1973 - Michael Deitz

1974 - Lloyd Taaffe

1975 - George Burgess

1976 - Loren Kemp

1977 - William Brown

1978 - Don Lorance

1979 - Steve McGee

1980 - Bo McAlister

1981-1982 - Jon Lundvall

1983-1984 - James Redman

1985-1988 - Larry Strassburger

1989-1990 - Raymond Moulis

1991-1992 - Martin W. Glass

1993-1994 - Joseph G. Molner

1995-1996 - Martin W. Glass

1997-1998 - Larry Strassburger

1999-2000 - David Kubat

2001 - Wm. Tom Arnold

2001-2002 - Rodney Dreifuss

2003-2004 - George Scodias

2005-2006 - David Osborn

2007-2008 - Charles W. Rothweiler

2009-2010 - Richard E. Malon

2011-2012 - Larry Strassburger

2013-2014 - Dennis James

2015-2016 - Lou Eggerding

2017-2018 - Brad Marples

2019-2021 - Don Miller

2022-2024 - Rob English