Does anyone know this guy? His collection is amazing

Amazingly large collection...the money...the time...the space...the maintenance...God bless the man. For he has done what others only dream of doing!

Paul Goodness

That is my good buddy Tom!!  Just talked to him not long ago over the phone.  Perhaps we will see something in OGR about him some day..

Alan

Indeed you will!  It's a work in progress that will appear in print in  the not-too-distant future.  A beautiful layout! 

Tom has a fabulous layout and is famous for his videos of long, long freight consists.

I have watched his train videos on YouTube thousands of times!  Truly awesome!

Heaven

It's interesting to hear that even owners of  gigantic collections and spectacular layouts such as this get "burned out" from time to time and have to walk away for a period of time to recharge their "hobby batteries."  I feel that way now and then but in the dozen or so years I've been back into trains, I think the longest I've stayed away was about three months.

Love looking at Tom's train videos.  Thank you for posting it on here.

- Mike

I always enjoyed seeing Tom post all those 8, 9 10 or more engine"Lash ups"(Rich stay calm) and pull many many cars around his wonderful layout. He used to have guest go up and see his trains their in the Sagnaw Michigan area. Having so many trains he had a lot of work to do to keep them all running and is a hands on guy. I thionk he had some issue's with MTH over parts and got a bit upset about it and that I think was a part of his "burn out". Hope we see him posting again very soon. He is a very nice guy.

I agree with Popsrr. If you watch the first video you will see pop ups with commentary about MTH.   

Amazing layout.

I can tell you from experience that Tom is a great guy. I bought a set from him a few years ago here on the buy/sell board. While we were emailing back and forth he learned that I was giving the set to a four year old for a Christmas present. A few days later I get another package in the mail, he had sent an additional car to give the child. I hope to someday meet him in person and shake his hand.

When I see a dream layout like this one, as I admire it's depth and variety, I wonder how many people it took to build it. 

See them basically done by one guy working 6-8 hours a day day in day out for what, a year?

Some big ones which were done by basically one person over decades, and others that were banged out in a year or three by a multi-friend/club members/etc group.

And those which seem to be knocked out in a matter of months by a big crew in a professional layout design/construction/setup to run companies.

Mulling it all over I don't feel like the last doggie in the pack any longer 'cause I've only been doing it for about 8 years thus far ... and with lots of down time periods in there.  Some day I'll even be able to run 3 trains at one time without collisions

I have been in contact with Tom today and he has seen this thread but could not get logged on....said he was going to have his boy take a look at what was wrong.  Anyway, I bet we hear from him on this thread hopefully soon.

Alan

 These posts pop up once in a while and I always hope to hear from Tom. He's a genuine model RR guy that I look up to. I always hope he'll dive back in.

Amazing stuff. Would like to hear his story as well.    

I first saw his videos last Spring.  Amazing how big his collection and layout is.

Ted

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your kind words, (I've been "away" from Trains for awhile.) Many have said I've (we've) suffered "burnout", or "He became overwhelmed" ... NOT SO.

The issue is / was, I'm too "old school" ... You know: "Customer Service" ? EX: (opening hatches and scale rivets disinterest me) AND,  when I call attn. to a particular need, "at the very least", I expect a reply ! *& NOT because "they" have too ... but because they WANT to. (We felt our actions spoke for themselves) *IOW: "were good Customers here OK" ? Yet: Frustration,  (all the way down to to begging amid unkempt promises) soon became the "given". So, we simply opted "out" and took a step back. People still bring me Trains, and the excitement of unraveling every box still intrigues me, (as it would YOU !) 

BUT: "theirs no way I'm supporting the above" !!  NEVER. *"so we don't and we stopped." 

So again, I'm a "lets fix what we already have" type guy ... "old school" ... "GET this gentleman what he needs" ! Easy, simple ? ... All this silly fuss over a toy train ? "ridiculous". *BTW this is what I DO in running MY Business ! *I need to know that I've met your expectation ... but I won't stop there, as I wish to EXCEED IT !. 

Anyway, I'm very proud to again, read such flattering remarks here, (as I prefaced above). *Scott (my counterpart) I'm sure echo's this as well. "Will" likely both be "back" at some point, "so don't count us out yet" ! So many GREAT People are here, and again: WE thank you very much.

All our best, Tom / Scott

Tom SO GOOD TO SEE YOU POST AGAIM. hOPE YOU WILL BEALE TO RUN SOME TRAINS FOR THE hOLIDAY SEASON AND REALLY ENJOY A LONG LONG TRAIN AGAIN SOON. wELCOME BACK. Bill from West MI.

Tom

First,  have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Second, I agree with what you have posted.

That is exactly what I am doing now.

Such a great hobby but can be frustrating.  Have not bought a train in years and recently bought one.  There was an issue  with the draw bar that apparently is well known and documented.  Get tired of a good review of an item that also includes all the mods to make it run.  Its a demographically shrinking hobby and the next generation is going to want to open up a box on Xmas and have it run.  I would like to have the same expectation of a $30 toaster I buy from Wallmart as I would for a $400 engine;  should work out of the box.

That said, I have enjoyed working on my layout recently and look forward to running it for kids around the holidays. 

As are many others, I'm concerned by the difficulity getting items repaired, getting parts.

Last night another MTH engine died.  Running fine, then not.  Now it sits and makes strange noises from the tender, like someone is frying eggs in there quietly.

That's three MTH engines sitting on the "what now" shelf.  At $50 to ship an engine somewhere and back, plus repair expense ... it's getting to be a little much.

At least there are no TMCC equipped engines on the dead line ... yet.

My "train season" is a couple of months around xmas as other things get in the way when nice out.  Started working with "Gunnrunner John" to help get a couple of trains running.  I don't have anything fancy but don't like seeing a broken train on the shelf.

What I conclude from this thread is the more trains and nicer layout you have, the unhappier you will be, especially if the trains are of recent vintage.  Stated conclusion makes me feel much better, as observing Mr. Zemanek's huge layout and extensive collection had me in a mental state equivalent to handing beater Ford Pinto keys to the valet at the Ritz-Carlton.

What, me worry?

Tom I need to ask you a car question please email me  www.hrspla@yahoo.com

about a 86 monte carlo with 8000 miles

Chuck, Frank, Paul, JOE, Dick, ALAN, Charlie, Pop, Ted: Thank-you !   *So many emails of stories (relegated to the above topic) and "commentary" simply amaze me. *I wish I had the answers, but I fear it's too far gone. YET, their is always hope. 

It's funny how something so simple, can be so "huge"  ... The "reason" has baffled me (an apparently so many of you) for a long time. "Utopia" will never likely exist ... but the necessity of improvement seems too be a must.

(wow and WOW again for all your "notes", and thanks for sharing them !) 

hrspla: I tried contacting you ! ("no soap") *I'd love too try an help !

< Thank-you Allan for all your time as well ! >

Mike: "I remember that Christmas", (with the car mentioned above) and I hope we "HOOKED" that youngster ! *YOU SIR, are a GREAT Dad.

Tom, Sounds to me like you expect the locomotive manufacturer to give the same quality service you give your own customers.  If your customer has a problem, you want to know about it and will take care of it.  I see more and more customer service departments over a wide range of businesses do not have our "old school" philosophy - Take care of the customer's problems.  It is the right thing to do; not to mention you will have more satisfied customers.  Personally, I see my employer and many companies using the "do more with less" philosophy.  They have too few people doing too much, and product quality and customer service suffers. 

Hang in there, and we will look forward to seeing the article on your trains and layout.  Many thanks for sharing in video.

I have always liked long freight trains. Especially ones with a lot of colors. Many years ago I remember going to a friends home to see their train layout and I was amazed by the long freight train they were running. Well the next day, I began adding MPC box cars to one of my freight trains. Many years later, I stumble onto one of Tommy's video's on YouTube showing his massive layout with large freight trains like I never could imagine. Even today, I still love it.

Jimmy , Tom does know how to make an impacr on you with the many many "LASH UPS" and the smoke units running full out. He makes great video's. Hope he will post some of them right here for people to see.

Yup,

Z-Man, just like a hull of a ship, he is a hull of a guy. I would share my fruit jar beverage with him any day...

Rick of the Gap!!!

I'd like to think that Rick, Tommy-Z and I are thick as thieves...

You WILL NOT find better guys, and if you get a chance I highly recommend begging Tommy-Z for a guided tour.  You will not be disappointed.

PS - If you do go... breathe through your mouth, Tommy-Z can fill a room with train smoke faster than an ALCO with 244-itis...

Sincerely,

Mike-Sierra-376

Thanks Mark, Jim, Pop, Ron *(BTW Ron: I remember those Hoppers !) and Rick and Mario ... My "Brothers".

"Time passes by so quickly" ... Anyway: I'm into Buick Grand Nationals and "T-Types" now ! I haven't (still) ran Trains in quite some time. People STILL are bringing me "stuff" ... "ya just never know" !

Alas, their is a Train under our Tree (The MTH General Set) *man what a GREAT Runner.

Merry Christmas from Scott and I, too ALL of you. *So many great people ... (and many right here like the Detroit Club !) *Hi Charlie*   ...

Oh, and Alan Arnold ? Just knowing this Man's my Christmas everyday of the year !

OK, Blessings to you all, I'll be "around" ...

Tom 

Tom, I miss hearing from you and wish you the best.  Your layout has to be a sight to view.  Stay in touch.

Tom SO GOOD TO SEE YOU POSTING AGAIN!!!!! Keep it up and lets see some Looooooonnnnnnngggggggg Trrrrraaaaaaaiiiiiinnnnnnsssssss

The irony of it...I have been into Buicks for a number of years and currently have a 10 second GN and a 72 Stage 1 convertible.  I got back into trains because I was getting burned out with cars.  Go figure...

Tom buddy....good to see your post above.  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!

Alan

Bob: I guess it MUST be true: opposites DO attract ! ... "Hi ya Marty" !!! *all my best to you and Dottie !

I like Tom, his trains and his philosophy!