Convention Cars
To commemorate LCCA Annual Conventions, the club designs and Lionel LLC produces for its members a limited-edition car—sometimes two cars as a pair—in celebration of this recurring train hobby and social event. The Convention Car concept was established in 1972 with the release of the #9701 B&O Automobile Car for the Convention held in Kansas City, MO. It’s now a rarity.
The practice has continued to the present day, and the general trend has been toward truer-to-scale cars, unique items that assure collectibility, and niche products not available elsewhere. Because of their uniqueness and relatively low production runs, club members purchase these cars as prized possessions in their collections. Some of the cars may occasionally appear for sale in the secondary market, and nonmember collectors or hobbyists may seek them out because of road name, the event or location, or special features.
Convention On-Site Cars
Beginning in 1998 at the LCCA Annual Convention held in Philadelphia, PA, and continuing annually thereafter, the club has regularly offered a Convention-related, limited-edition Lionel® car only to members who attended these events in person and purchased these cars on site. The cars were often based on railroads in the region of the host city or related to industries in the area. The trend has been toward niche products and has included a few playful items. Because of the relatively low numbers produced, these unique items have become prized collectibles among members.
Convention Early Registration Gifts
To encourage members to register early for the annual Convention and add value to club membership, LCCA has offered an incentive to “Early Bird” registrants who plan to attend our major hobby and social event. This item is presented only to those who register at the host hotel and pick it up at the site. Members with an interest in niche collectibles who are also Convention-goers look forward to these special products that can’t be bought – only earned according to the rules. This free gift is presented in limited quantities, usually no more than 400.
Convention Banquet Cars
Beginning in 2005, LCCA offered a very limited, special car to lucky members attending the concluding banquet of the Convention. Only one person per table will receive this car, and the fun is in “the chase.”
These cars are often whimsical in décor, and this enhances their uniqueness and collectibility. Because there are usually about 50 tables in the banquet hall, members realize that one car per table will make this item rare indeed. This car cannot be purchased; it must be won in a delightfully unpredictable manner announced at the occasion by the Master of Ceremony. It’s all part of the fun of owning one of these cars!
Convention Special Products
LCCA has regularly offered carefully selected items to club members for separate sale at many Conventions as commemoratives of these events. Most of these products were related to the locale of the region of the host city. Some – like the 2002 Flat Car with Submarine – incorporated a unique story that further enhanced its status as a very special memento.
Annual Christmas Cars
Ever since the LCCA joined with Lionel’s internal club, the LRRC, the LCCA has offered an annual Christmas Car. These cars have been produced by Lionel in its US production facility and come packaged in unique LCCA boxes proudly highlighting their US manufacture. All cars in this series have been full feature, sprung trucks and have highly detailed vivid colors and images printed on each side. These year end cars have become a tradition for many members as this series continues.
