The only TCA I ever tried was Elavil (amitriptyline). That was years ago and I don't remember anything special about it. For me it was no more effective than anything else, and my trial on it did not last long.

No psychiatrist since then has suggested a TCA. Some (many?) of the TCAs are associated with strong side effects and require fairly significant dietary precautions. Learn all you can about Protriptyline (Vivactil) before diving in.

Vivactil at RxList
Medications for Depression, p. 2, by Dr. Dimitri at PsychCentral