In memoriam: Tom McComas, one of the most influential shapers of the contemporary toy train hobby, died in Michigan City, Ind., on Aug. 8, 2024, at the age of 86. He left an indelible mark on the hobby, starting as an author in the 1980s and then proceeding to write and produce a vast number of introductory and advanced videos directed at every possible enthusiast, from young children to longtime collectors and operators of prewar, postwar, and modern trains and accessories. His contributions will never be forgotten.
Lionel enthusiasts became familiar with Tom’s research, writing, photography, and sense of humor when he collaborated with his good friend Jim Tuohy to bring out a six-volume set of books, A Collector’s Guide and History to Lionel Trains, which they published in 1987. Soon, their business, named TM Books & Video, was putting out price and rarity guides. Then came the beautifully illustrated reference book, Great Toy Train Layouts of America. Pictures and excerpts were used in the premier issue of Classic Toy Trains.
Greater things awaited Tom, and in 1988 he made the first of the outstanding videos on which he built his reputation. He traveled around the U.S. and Canada, filming action on the greatest O, S, and Standard gauge layouts. Celebrities were profiled, too, with Mandy Patinkin, Frank Sinatra, Tom Snyder, and Neil Young receiving the finest treatment. Tom then found a new collaborator in Joseph Stachler, and the two of them produced and sold dozens of super videos for toy train, tractor, automobile, and airliner enthusiasts. Perhaps the most memorable and touching of the videos filled the great I Love Toy Trains series.
We at Classic Toy Trains and Trains.com offer our condolences to Tom’s widow, Charyl, and sons Christopher, Jeffrey, and Thomas Jr. We also thank Tom for the many years of his support and encouragement, not to mention all the fun, laughter, and terrific stories.
The TM books and video campus is the Hollywood of the Toy Train world. Tom McComas was its script writer, director, producer, and editor. The quality, and quantity of his work is remarkable.
I had great honor of calling Tom my friend for 25 years. Working for Tom was never work. I remember one of the many times I was running a train while Tom was filming. I said, “just look at that engine smoke!” Tom exclaimed, “That engine is not supposed to smoke!” We both laughed and I went home with another repair job.
Years ago, i met Tom at the Citibank Station display in NYC. I told him how it didn’t feel like Christmas until my wife and I put on one of his lionel videos and drifted off to sleep. We talked for a while and then he gave me the VHS tape he was promoting. I was thrown off by his generosity. He was the guy on the tape, the nice guy. To his wife and family I send my moment to confirm what you already know.
Tom McComas will always forever be remembered and will never be forgotten he will be known as a proud videographer and founder of TM Books and Videos and his name of the company will live on and i have many of his programs in my train video collection 🙂