Tom Staley Re-Opening Tom's Trains in Central NC, "Just For Fun."

Went there a few years back on a trip to NC.   Will go back again since we are now here permanently. Does this include the craft side of the store?

I think so but I would not expect much inventory. 

Congratulations to Tom and Jean. It just goes to show you can’t keep a good couple down, particularly Tarheels!  My sister and her family live in Chapel Hill and I plan to visit them sometime this fall and I’ll be sure to visit the re-opened store during my visit.

And Lee, don’t worry about approaching 80, I am 86 and recently started a complete renovation of my train room and having lots of fun doing it. My three favorite hobbies are trains, golf and kayaking with my wife. In the last couple of years my golf and kayaking has really been hampered by a bad right shoulder and rather than giving up golf and kayaking, on November 3, I’m having a complete shoulder replacement so after recuperating during the winter I expect to be kayaking and on the golf course again. So there is hope for us later middle-aged dudes. I despise the word elderly.

Incidentally, I’m a native of North Carolina, born in Winston-Salem and raised in Wilmington, but I have lived in New Hampshire the past forty  years.

Hey there O Gauge Jim, good to hear from you.  I had total shoulder replacements on both just prior to the pandemic.  Delayed for three years over concerns for the surgery but now glad I did have them.  Mine when perfectly.  Hope yours goes well.  It improved my life a lot, but not my golf game.  However, take into account thatmyhimself playing golf.  I haven't improved since then, so I doubt a shoulder replacement would help me.  Anyway, good luck with your shoulder, and game!!

Confusing name, given that there's a Tom's Trains in Connecticut and another in New York. You need to specify the state when describing Tom's Trains.

I never meant Tom or Jean, but I'm sure this reopening of their store is good news for all their old friends. I'm sure Tom and Jean have to be very excited. One more time to see old friends has to be great. If you are anywhere near their store, please take a moment and stop in and say hello.

@breezinup posted:

Confusing name, given that there's a Tom's Trains in Connecticut and another in New York. You need to specify the state when describing Tom's Trains.

That's why I said in the thread title it was in central NC, otherwise people would get confused on a site like this.  But i understand why the owners don't do that in their store titles.  I think all three stores probably didn't bother to use their location (Tom's Trains of Connecticutt, Tom's Trains of North Carolina) because they were local and only served the area around them.  Those folks understood.  I bet there are others, too, not just those three . . .

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Long may you run!!

Well, all us old guys hope so . . .

Lee, if you know, can you post hours of operation?

Any one been there during the reopening?

Is it worthwhile to visit?

We went today.  20% off rolling stock, 30% off buildings.  Some postwar, lionel, mth and a large selection of all types of Lionel track.  Also paint, scenery and other hobby supplies.  Worth the trip.  It is stock from when they closed the store in 2014.  They are not sure if they will be there beyond January, depends on the lease agreement.

During the course of conversation, his wife was raised on the same street as me in Irvington NJ but separated by a few years and moved before I moved in.  Small world.

Thank you to @Lee Willis for starting this Topic and letting us know Tom's Train Station is back!  I used to shop there a lot before they closed in 2014.  Tom and Jean were and still are very friendly and helpful.

I went today and picked up a few nice items.  The sale prices @CSXJOE mentioned are still in effect.  Lots of postwar locomotives available (some are not yet on display as Tom is working his way through a bunch of them to ensure they're in good working order before selling.

Tom did mention that he plans to keep their phone number for customer contact and that he also intends to keep his dealer connections with the manufacturers to continue placing orders for customers.  Definitely glad they're back at it again.