Think you have a lot of trains?

WOW! I hope those lashups were with dummy units! As a looper he wins the GRAND PRIZE! It's a shame about the yard area being mostly static. That's a great turntable!

I would have like to see his power supplies close up.

As far as MTH customer service he just needs a good Authorized Service shop near him.

He should also solve his corrosion problems where he stores his locos.

I should forward this vid to my wife so she doesn't think I'VE GOT TOO MUCH in the  collection!

WOW....He doesnt seem to thrilled with MTH though.  "TankTrain is like over 70 cars " lol.  That was pretty funny.  Tons of $ in trains. I have always thought you could never have too many trains, but that is too many.

My mind has been blown away..for once, I am speechless. 

Apparently you CAN have too many trains.  I'd rather have only one set that brought me joy when I ran it than all that stuff he has and not even enjoy myself.  Doesn't he sound like it's not even fun anymore?  Maybe having too much kills the fun of it?

 

Thanks for the video.

 

 

John.

(thinks "Tommy Z?")

 

(watches video)

 

Yep. I think his "love affair" with a certain manufacturer has been the centerpiece of his account for quite a few years.  I might've avoided watching his videos because of that.

 

I think he's still a member here though.

 

---PCJ

Never say Never. Quote: "Anyone want these?".  Just Great, Thank You PennsyK4.

I've always felt the same way...sometimes it's difficult to adhere to a "less is more"

philosophy but I think there is a great deal of wisdom in it.

Tommy(the guy who's trains are showcased in the video) used to post on this forum, a while back.

 

Seemed like a good guy; he had some issues with his main manufacturer, that he'd occasionally mention. He's got a number of train videos on youtube.

 

Kinda sad to hear Tommy in this video, but he earned the right to express his genuine feelings...

 

If you're reading this Tommy -  hi, and my best wishes for you.

 

BTW, I like a lot of your motive power; and I, too, dig the big U50"s.

 

 

Take care,

 

 

Rick

 

 

 

 

Capacitors dry out and speakers deteriorate?

Really?

 

Scrappy

trainloon

I think Tommy's biggest problem with MTH customer service was getting parts.

 

Yes, at one time he was a frequent  visitor to the Forum.

Man, that is a lot of trains, perhaps too many.  Nice collection though.   I'm sorry that he does not seem to enjoy his trains as much as he once did.  Perhaps after a little "vacation" from them he'll find the joy in them again.  I hope so.  What he had running seemed to really do well and I'm impressed with the quality of his video.  Bo 

 

 

Visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com 

That is tommyZ (He's on here and a great friend of mine) and no, those are not dummies, he pushes the limits of the DCS by running several diesels, up to 7 I believe and has the greatest smoke-producing layout I've ever seen!

 

I you have a chance to visit upper MI, then please contact Tommy and visit his layout, it will blow you're mind! (Sorry, Tommy to invite people over!)

 

I took this quick with my phone last time I was there...

 

 

You will not find another person with the wit, humor and heart like Tommy Z!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Thanks,

Mario.

I was just thinking about T.Z. The other day.  From his posts you could tell that he's a nice guy that enjoys running trains.  My favorite video of his is one where he had a bunch of diesels MUed...all smoking...and he was getting overwhelmed by the smoke.

Wow.  Yes.  Maybe it is possible to have too many.  He's giving it a shot anyway.

The guy in the first video says "Nobody builds anything anymore." Well, speak for yourself, John. Yesterday I cast (from metal) some cross-compound air pumps for the NYC 2-6-6-2

that I'm bashing/repairing/building - needed a special shape to fit. I have an accurate NYC 0-8-8-0 hump switcher, an accurate L&N streamlined K-5 Pacific, an accurate GM&O Decapod with Coffin FWH...and so on. I have built/bashed them all, and more. Most with

TMCC.

 

I do, however, feel better about my "train inventory" after that video; still too much, but I don't have the burden that some do, apparently.

 

Too much. Scary. Hoarding.

While its probably more trains than I would run at anyone time, I think its great that this gentleman has a layout that he enjoys running!

 

I really enjoyed the video, especially seeing 4 or 5 engines pulling 60 - 80 cars!

 

I run my trains a bit differently in that I like using the turntable and then getting the cars from one of the side tracks.  But to each his own, important thing is that you are having fun.

 

Jim

I'm afraid I'd get bored too. After you have collected all you can....running in a circle would get old. And with little room for scenery not a lot to do between running trains. To each his own.....at least he can run trains! It will be a while for me!

Wow! If the term "whale" could apply to a trainman, it certainly would fit Tom. If he were a gambler he would be treated like royalty and every need of his attended to. Why any train company wouldn't bend over backwards to keep him happy and fill his needs is beyond me. He could use a service man assigned directly to him!

 

Tom, I have a pile of 3V batteries that I'd be willing to donate to get your trains running again.   Joe

That is OBSCENE!  He must have one monster train budget!   I couldn't afford the lubricant and smoke fluid to keep all those trains running!

 

Killian, I can just see that carpet layout now. WOW!!!

I have heard that you can't be too rich, too thin , or have too many trains! Seems it is true.

Just awesome, I would like to know how big is this layout (square feet..?) and how many transformers and what kind provide enought electric power to keep all this trains runnig so realistic and nice.

Yes he frequented the forum quite often with loads of pictures. He has so much, as Tom said, some trains have been on the shelves for years. Speakers can be had from other sources but the boards have been a problem for some. Guess it is just the timing. I am sure Tom is well and did not see a need to post. Maybe he will drop in.

Does he remind anyone of the late Andy Rooney from 60 Minutes....

kinda crotchety but mostly makes sense and is not worried what others think?

Interesting video.

TJ

I'm just starting on my 8x12.  Something to look forward to! 

Very nice layout.  I enjoyed it very much.  I'll never get up to MI, so I enjoyed the video.  I apprecaite an owner willing to share a little of his collection.

Electrolytic capacitors, especially cheap ones do go out of value, and can leak electrolytic fluid on a board and ruin it. I have fixed many items just by changing out the electrolytic capacitors and diodes.

Tommy is also a philanthropist, literally sharing his collection with those who are just starting in this hobby, as well!  He is trying to single-handedly nurture the next generation of O gaugers...

 

Unit-for-unit, he has got to be one of the best MTH customer just based on sheer volume.

 

Happy Holidays!

- Mario

good observation.

Tommy is also a very intellegent guy with that out of left field sense of humor that can catch you off gaurd.

It seems like he has so much that he's lost the appreciation for what he has.  I feel sorry for the guy because he's lost the joy of just playing with his trains.

Tom is one of our members in the Mid America 3-Railer group.  He is a great guy that has a wonderful sense of humor.  I would say that he owns multiples of just about every locomotive MTH ever built!  Somewhere near 1000...!  I was in contact with him just a few weeks ago and he is still in the doldrums because of the problems of parts availability and reasonable turnaround time.  Even when you have a great source for service, parts to them are limited in many cases.  Those of you that have been on this forum long enough are aware of his trials and tribulations with the manufacturer.

 

His layout should be published...it is without a doubt extraordinary and is one of the private layouts that can handle prototypically long trains of 100 cars and over by quite a margin.

 

Alan

It sounds to me like he's saying MTH is not supporting its products. Is this true? If so,  it will have a great impact on my decision to add to what I already have. If replacement electronics will not be available in the future then we're looking at a bunch of useless junk going foward. Am I overreacting here, or what?

Sky...,

 

I think Tom has had a very exasperating/frustrating experience...

 

Tom has made some of his concerns known, in his youtube video's.

 

 

Rick

Hello to all. (Thanks for kind words, I appr. it) *Four people have now told me about this thread, and it is true that my interest in Trains has faded greatly (mostly due to the many "WARS" with MTH Trains). < I simply want no-more of it and will beg no more for any help >. "Opinions are many yes" ? *Well that's mine*.

 

OGR Did do a full feature (as they were here about a year and 3/4 ago) ... Nothing ever happened and they will not communicate with me after my having emailed all 3 of the "main guys". I sure did appr. the opportunity (too go in) and it would have made GREAT "Finality" for me,  in this "Chapter" of my life ... "ah well". 

 

The Collection exceeds 3,000 cars and 900 + engines ... I've loved Trains all my life... But when it's no longer fun, then I want "out", and that's where I am.  :-)

I occ. run one, "but the joy just isn't there much anymore" ...

 

I have however,  NO Regrets ! (I'll always love Trains).

 

 

Some would call this burnout, others "train overload" ... "You can make your own conclusions". For me, the lack of regard and repeated "unpleasantness" (with Train "makers") pushed this man "over the edge".

 

NOW ? *I enjoy restoring old Buick's and that's what I'm doing these days. I voted with my wallet yes ? !!!

 

In the end, ya do it for YOU. "And do it again I would"!  Take good care all.

 

Tom

Hi Tom,

 

A few years ago, when I first participated on an O gauge forum(not this one) I started a post about passion; and, what can kill it...

 

I was in a similar way, re: how I felt about my trains, a few years ago. Just too many ongoing problems, with the new equipment. Seriously though about getting out of O gauge trains; during that period of time fun/enjoyment was scarce.

 

I enjoyed your postings here and your youtube videos.

 

CHEERS,

 

 

Rick

I visited Tom's layout in 2004 when he didn't have quite so much. The layout is 30' x 44'. The photos I took can be found here.

Wow just watched the video and the photo's Bill posted. What a beautiful layout and layout room. Just incredible.

 

 

Thanks, Alex

 Hello Tom, I've been watching this post quietly. It's been a pleasure watching your trains. Thanks for sharing them and taking the time to answer questions. I can only imagine how frustrating it has been with some things going sour. When my system acts up, I would like to dump it all. I let my O gauge sit all summer while I ran G scale outside a few times. If I force myself to play with them, it becomes a job. So I can imagine how you might feel.

 You are still a big influence on how I run my smaller setup. I hope that someday you will return to the forum as the bright humorous guy that was into toy trains before. The forum changes and some come and go. I think we will always talk about what you've done. I hope you keep the RR for future interest. Enjoy life!

 

Funny you should mention this... It was my visit to Tom's that was the last nail in the coffin for MTH's DCS motive power on the NYC at Hickory Creek, NY (my layout's name).  I'll convert to TMCC what I do have left of MTH (just Premier PAs, F3s and Sharks).

 

If they won't/can't support one of their largest customers and proponents, I'm not.  DCS seems to work great for a lot of people, I can't afford to take that risk.  I decided to move away from conventional and on a single digital control system and Legacy won.

 

Just my thoughts...

 

Thanks,

Mario