Happy June Train Gamers
June? That means it’s almost time for Origins 2025! Which is, of course, the start of the highly anticipated 2025 TGA Major Tournament Season. Down below, I’ll cover info for all of our major tournaments – but first, a few special announcements!
Our crack TGA Social Media team is going strong! Andi Wynn and Patricia Hermon run our public Facebook page (The Train Gamers Association), our Instagram page (follow us at @traingamersassociation), and more. They are working with Phil Cottrell and our Marketing team to explore other ways to get the word out about us too, especially to draw more people to our exciting new Gen Con space (but more on that later…). Call all your friends to tell them about it!
They have opened the TGA Video Productions Unit Too! Andi and Tricia are using even more of their amazing skills on behalf of the TGA by producing videos that will help us with everything from marketing the TGA to teaching games, explaining tricky rules and training volunteers. This effort is just ramping up, but we are expecting great things!
Empire Builder Rules Changes and more!!! We are coordinating efforts with our friends from Darwin’s Toys to keep our tournament rules in synch with the official game rules – which are all being reviewed and clarified with their exciting new game publications. This will mean two significant rules changes that will take effect this year (starting at Origins). All Empire Builder System games will use a four card start, and all will employ a brand-new tiebreaker. Rules will be explained at all tournaments, but if you play any of the EBS games, you might want to check out the TGA website for details before you arrive. Darwin’s Toys also tells us we will have a few prototype games available to play at all the cons! And we might even see the new Empire Builder: Europe game (if it can get past the tariff trolls).
TGA Tournament Management Changes. As announced at Railcon, there are some changes to our tournament management structure, with several people taking on new and expanded responsibilities. The new structure is posted on the TGA website and will be posted on the Results wall at each convention as well. As always, ask if you have any questions or want more information about how the TGA works.
Best Ways to Help the TGA. Come to Railcon and bring a friend. Renew your membership, maybe upgrade to a Lifetime membership, or gift a few dozen memberships (they make great 4th of July presents!).
TGA Major Tournaments. Our Major Tournament Season will again consist of Origins, Gen Con, and the main event at Railcon!
Origins. June 18-22. Columbus Ohio. We’ll be there, in Gaming Hall C, same place as last year in Area 2222 (rhymes with Choo Choo Choo Choo). Look for the yellow banner as always. Our Head Conductor will be David Belew (his first time, so he’ll be assisted by Ken Bachman – that’s me!), with Amy Beery as the Headquarters Conductor. We will once again be offering some official “warm up games” and teaching games on Wednesday, from 4pm to 10pm, then the tournament fun begins Thursday morning. Our playing schedule is posted on the TGA website. As in recent years, all you need to play in our area is a valid Origins badge. No tickets are required.
Gen Con. July 31 – August 3. Indianapolis Indiana. We’ll be there too, and so will the yellow banner. But in a much better location! We know most of you prefer we be in a hotel, but last year’s hotel left a lot to be desired. Great news! This year we’ll be in the Westin hotel, in Grand Ballroom IV – a much larger and nicer space than we had last year. Megan Harper will be our Head Conductor (her first time as well, so Jeff Jackson will assist), along with Amy again running HQ. We could still use a few more volunteers. If you’re willing, please send a note to David Belew at volunteer@traingamers.com). Our (near-final) playing schedule is posted on the TGA website. Puffing Billy ribbons (unlimited play in our area) are now available for purchase ($30). Generics or paper event tickets also work.
Railcon. October 15-19. Courtyard Hotel, Schaumburg Illinois. Our Train Gamers Train Gaming convention = All train games, all the time. And this one determines the winner of our biggest yearly prize: the Darwin and Peter Bromley Memorial National Championship! Jeff will be Head Conductor, Amy will again manage registration and scoring, and half the attendees will help run things. We’ll have warm-up events on Wednesday evening, with the main event running Thursday through Sunday. Badges are on sale at the Early Bird price until August 15, then it’s full price. Hotel rooms are available for booking now. There are two room blocks this year, which both include free breakfast. You can book 1-5 nights for $156/night, or you can extend your vacation and book for six or more nights for $129/night. You can book through the appropriate link on the TGA website store, or from here:
Regular Block (1-5 nights) – Book your group rate for Train Gamers
Extended Stay (6+ nights) – Book your group rate for Train Gamers Extended Stay
Th-th-that’s all, Folks! Check the website for more, including the latest information we have on our upcoming Regionals.
Hope to see you in Columbus!
Ken Bachman
TGA Secretary