So sorry to hear this. Condolences to Tom's family. Years ago I used to buy a bunch of his videos each time I went to York. I would give them away to people in my office who had young children. I always loved his videos and I always got great feedback from people who viewed them with their children.
Gerry
Tom’s videos & books were such an inspiration to all of us in this great hobby of ours. He will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to his family.
My initial post on Tom's passing was very brief as I was at a loss for words. The subsequent postings have done a wonderful job capturing the impact that he has had on everyone.
Tom was a lifelong White Sox fan and whenever I visited the store, we would commiserate on the latest bad news about the team. As a die-hard fan, Tom was particularly proud of one his earliest films, "No Game Today" which is an 11 minute short that he wrote, directed and produced in 1966. It can be rented on Prime for a couple of bucks, and (like all of his work) is a joy to watch. He was able to get Bob Elson (the White Sox radio announcer in the 60's) to narrate part of the film.
Sorry to hear about the passing of Tom McComas.Tom certainly was a good contributor to the hobby of model trains with his many books and videos which were definitely fun to watch.My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this sad time.
It’s very sad when we hear of someone passing that has been a tremendous asset in growing our hobby. My condolences to Tom’s family and all of his many friends.
Clear block to heaven Tom.
I'm at a loss for words, Mr. McComas did so much for this hobby. Prayers for his family.
Sorry to hear this. A great loss to the hobby as well as to those who knew him personally.
Rest in peace Tom........ Toms books were by far the absolute best in the hobby. I can't say how many time's I have gone back to Toms books for reference. So well written with beautiful photos. When I want to get excited about Lionel trains I only need to open Toms books and enjoy. Now with his passing I will treasure them all the more.
So sorry to hear this news. Back in late 1990s / early 2000s I assisted TM Books and Video with their Lionel Modern Era price guides. Was always a pleasure working with Tom. Still have all the various books and videos he sent me. My condolences to his family.
My condolences to Tom's family and friends. Because of Tom, my grandson and I received hours upon hours of joy from his many train videos. Thank you Tom.
So sorry to hear the news, Tom`s video`s were an insperation for me to finally get started in the hobby, our condolences to Tom and his family, RIP
Being in the hobby for so many years, nearly fifty now, I have been saddened too many times. Now, again, someone very special has passed. Sincerest condolences to Tom's family and we have special memories in the form of wonderful books and videos.
J
My condolences to Tom's family and friends. I chatted with him at York a few times while I purchased videos for both myself and my nephews. Later, I picked up a number of his books. All of his work was first rate, and the hobby is better for it.
Andy
So so sad oh man my condolences to Tom's family. Trying to find the right words. I think back of the great times watching his video's with my daughter . Yea watching the video's looking through Lionel catalog's picking out her favorite train's. Really liked the Christmas Video's , my wife would even watch those. I guess all I can say is Tom thanks for the memories!
@juniata guy posted:I’m a long time fan of Tom’s books and videos! When I advised my youngest son of Tom’s passing, his first comment was “there’s a voice from my childhood!”
Condolences to Tom’s family and friends. He certainly made the hobby more fun and better informed!
Curt
I know the feeling, Curt.
This is a real GUT PUNCH. Tom was a keystone for the 3-rail community. At one time I owned 12-15 of his videos. I never got tired of watching them. He will be sorely missed. RIP.
It looks like everyone who had any interaction with Tom came away with the same feelings. I'm not surprised.
I just edited my personal footage of Tom's visits to my home to shoot layout videos. This is a condensed 10 minute behind-the-scenes look at Tom doing what he loved and was best at. Enjoy! TJ
@TonkaNut posted:It looks like everyone who had any interaction with Tom came away with the same feelings. I'm not surprised.
I just edited my personal footage of Tom's visits to my home to shoot layout videos. This is a condensed 10 minute behind-the-scenes look at Tom doing what he loved and was best at. Enjoy! TJ
That is a great and unexpected video you produced. It’s wonderful that you have shared it here.
In addition, 30 years ago that hat bit brought laughs to my family, all who have since departed. Never predicted it would become so poignant now. Thanks again.
Wow, Brian that is really nice to have good memories. Thanks!
I saw this thread when it first started but I delayed responding because I wanted to really think about what I wanted to say.
There are many great compliments to Tom in the above posts and all certainly apply but the one I like the best was "immeasurable". I came back to 3 rail trains around 1996 and I quickly found his videos. Tom's videos provided me with hours and hours of enjoyment and pleasure over the years. I did not know Tom personally but I had the pleasure of meeting him once at York. I told him how much I enjoyed his videos. I hope that somehow he knew just how much pleasure and enjoyment so many folks got from his videos. I am greatly saddened that we lost a man who brought millions of hours of joy to so many train enthusiasts. He made an impression on me and I will always remember him with fondness and admiration. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
@TonkaNut terry, great video about Tom. Thanks for sharing. I love that video where you kept changing your hat in every scene.
I figure I might as well throw my little video into the mix. I was planning on releasing this just as a happy anniversary video since the company turned 50 years old this year, but I think it works just as well as a tribute to the main man behind TMBV for all these years.
@Hudson J1e posted:I saw this thread when it first started but I delayed responding because I wanted to really think about what I wanted to say.
There are many great compliments to Tom in the above posts and all certainly apply but the one I like the best was "immeasurable". I came back to 3 rail trains around 1996 and I quickly found his videos. Tom's videos provided me with hours and hours of enjoyment and pleasure over the years. I did not know Tom personally but I had the pleasure of meeting him once at York. I told him how much I enjoyed his videos. I hope that somehow he knew just how much pleasure and enjoyment so many folks got from his videos. I am greatly saddened that we lost a man who brought millions of hours of joy to so many train enthusiasts. He made an impression on me and I will always remember him with fondness and admiration. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Well said. Tom McComas lived a long and fruitful life. He will be remembered fondly and people will be reading his books and watching his videos for decades to come. How many people can we say that about?
That's a nice video. Congratulations on obtaining a fantastic keepsake from Tom and Tom's collection!
Just seeing this. Condolences to Tom's family and friends.
Like many of us, I had a routine for shopping at York in the Orange Hall and just about always made TM my first stop. A pleasure chatting with Tom (and frequently his wife).
I own many of the TM DVDs but think "A Century of Legendary Lionel Trains" with Tom Snyder is still my favorite of all. I pull it off the shelf at least once a year and relive the magic.
RIP, Tom.
That was an awesome video Thomas. Thank you.
Well, I’ve been enjoying the TM videos since the mid 1970’s, from the first VHS video to the latest and greatest DVD’s, and seeing Tom at the York meet several years ago, he was thinking of doing a video of my “Leapin Larry’s Looney Lines RR” but I failed to send him the pictures. Either way, he was a true ambassador of the hobby and his videos, commentaries, instructional videos, TMCC, LEGACY, DCS, and more helped us all learn more about this great hobby. I’m hoping the son will continue the Tradition. May Tim RIP, and condolences to his family. God Bless.
Here's a video about my thoughts on the passing of Tom McComas.
Thanks,
Eric Siegel
Dear friends,
I had the wonderful pleasure of working with Tom as a collaborator and friend. Although Tom was a life-long Lioneler with orange and blue blood in his veins, I managed to convince him to graciously publish an Illustrated Price and Rarity Guide on American Flyer S Gauge Trains, which I had authored in 2000. With the help of the crack production team at TM Books and Video, it succeeded well enough to justify further updated editions in 2004 and 2012. It was great fun to have the opportunity to assist Tom and Joe Stachler in the production of some of their later videos that featured pre- and postwar Gilbert American Flyer trains. The extent of Tom’s contacts and friendships in the broader toy train and model railroading community was truly amazing. For me the high water mark of all of the super TM videos is A Century of Lionel Trains narrated by Tom Snyder. Tom and Char were most gracious in hosting my several visits with them which stand among my fondest memories in the toy train collecting hobby.
Rest in peace, good friend.
Bob
Super nice guy! It was a lot of fun working with him and Joe Stachler over the years. Rest in peace!
@ericstrains.com posted:Here's a video about my thoughts on the passing of Tom McComas.
Thanks,
Eric Siegel
Great thoughts, and thanks for the excellent reminder about owning a physical copy of stuff that's important to you.
You're so right about the Tinplate Legends videos being a gateway drug.
I haven't watched one of his videos (or the partial segments on the RFD channel) since Tom's passing - I expect that it will be a little bittersweet hearing his voice.
I, like so many of us, are at a loss for words. A giant in the hobby. May God rest his soul.....
So sad. A pioneer in videos of our great hobby. He helped many to look into toy and model trains.
@lehighline posted:I looked for him at this past York show and did not find his booth. My condolences to his family. Chris. LVHR
Chris, I don't think Tom has made it to York for quite a few years. (But typically sent a TM staffer to man the booth.) I always missed seeing him of late, but hey, he was edging into his 80's and we can't blame him.
When I met Tom in person at his studio/store in Michigan City, I told him how his I Love Toy Trains series got me into the toy train hobby, especially in O gauge. As a surprise, he brought out his prized 1-of-a-kind blue and yellow 2343 Santa Fe F3 customized by Richard Sherry back in one of Tom's Toy Train Revue videos. I distinctly remember seeing this as a kid watching ILTT. I wanted to buy it, but Tom didn't want to let it go at the time, but I did buy a few other items though. The following year Tom decided to put it up for sale and sold it to a collector at York. If anyone knows the whereabouts on this engine set, I'd really appreciate it. 
Sorry if this is late. I forgot to mention that I visited Tom on my birthday and I had a little private tour led by one of his employees. I also bought some DVD's from Tom and he autographed 2 of them for my birthday
@Allan Miller posted:I do not have words to properly express the sadness I felt when I learned of Tom's passing from Joe Stachler, who worked with Tom for some 24 years. Still cannot accept or believe it. Tom and I have been very good friends/colleagues/competitors for many years, and he most definitely was a major force in promoting and advancing this hobby through his many published books and videos that were instrumental in growing the O gauge segment of the hobby--especially through documenting the long history and current-day popularity of Lionel trains. I will have to collect my thoughts and memories and write a more detailed tribute to my friend a bit later, but simply cannot bring myself to do so now. My sympathies and love to his beloved Charyl; to sons Tom Jr, Jeff, Chris, and stepson Jack; and to the entire TM Books & Videos crew.
I missed this topic back in August -- I just learned of Tom's passing in in the new issue of OGRR magazine, Run 339. It seemed appropriate to respond to Allan's article here.
When I rediscovered Lionel Trains as an adult, it was at the Dupage County fairgrounds that marked the true beginning of my layout building adventures. There, standing behind a table with VHS tapes was Tom McComas. He was such a friendly man and his enthusiasm for his videos was contagious. At first, I thought he was too nice to be genuine, that there had to be a catch. I was surprised by how reasonably priced his videos were; and to be able to take other people’s layouts home to watch seemed truly too good to be true. I credit those tapes and my encounter with Tom for the driver of the layouts I’ve built since then – and I am truly grateful for Tom. It is with this reflection that I feel sadness in reading about Tom’s passing. My sincere sympathy goes to his family and friends.
Mike
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