The Passing of Tom from the Choo Choo Barn.....

OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

… To Tom's fans who have appreciated his work and contributions to the artistry of model railroading, know that he loved what he did and he did it for you.

-The Groff Family

That is so true.

The countless weekends I took my family to Strasburg, always included a visit to Choo Choo Barn. Really nice folks. Enjoyed by my wife, our kids, and myself.

Best wishes to the Groff Family. I'm very sorry.

I’m very sorry to hear this. Tom is one of the nicest guys you’re ever going to meet. I remember having a private tour around the layout and all the inner workings of the Choo Choo Barn. All the animations on the layout he created. He is an incredibly talented man. Our thoughts are with Tom and his family. 

I'll add my note of being very sorry to hear of Tom's condition.

Like Chris (not sure if it was the same time or not, this was probably at least 10-12 years ago), I participated in what Tom called a "trial tour" of the behind the scenes type stuff that makes the Choo Choo Barn the Choo Choo Barn.  (This was after TCA Museum presentations on a Wednesday during a York week)

Tom was so very enthusiastic about all of the animations and sharing with us the methods he used to create many of them.  It was an amazing look at what makes it all tick.  To top it off, I seem to recall Tom declined taking the admission fee those of us who attended thought we were going to pay for participating in this tour, as he considered it a dry run practice for himself in case he decided to do it regularly.

Best wishes to Tom and the entire Groff Family in this difficult time.

-Dave

Prayers for Tom.

So sorry to hear this. Wishing Tom and the Groff family peace during this difficult time.

I've never met Tom, I've seen his posts and I wish him the very best and my sympathies go out to him and his family.  May God watch over him and give him comfort in this sad turn of events.  May he always be blessed.

I cannot express how it saddened me when I recently learned of Tom's medical situation. He is such a creative, energetic, talented, and personable fellow. He has always been very kind and helpful when I visited the Choo-Choo Barn, and I am glad Wendy also had the chance to meet and speak with him (he pointed us to a fine eating spot in the Strasburg area). May God's blessings be with Tom and his family in this difficult time and beyond.

That is sad to hear as well as I enjoyed regular visits when in Strasburg.  My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

- Greg

Tom, his family, and all the wonderful people at the Choo Choo Barn have been one of the very best influences that have ever happened to our hobby.  The Groff family have always been true ambassadors of the O gauge hobby.  There will always be a soft spot in my heart for you Tom.  

Been to the Choo Choo Barn, and have to say.....thanks for a good time! My prayers are with the family.

Dave45681 posted:

I'll add my note of being very sorry to hear of Tom's condition.

Like Chris (not sure if it was the same time or not, this was probably at least 10-12 years ago), I participated in what Tom called a "trial tour" of the behind the scenes type stuff that makes the Choo Choo Barn the Choo Choo Barn.  (This was after TCA Museum presentations on a Wednesday during a York week)

Tom was so very enthusiastic about all of the animations and sharing with us the methods he used to create many of them.  It was an amazing look at what makes it all tick.  To top it off, I seem to recall Tom declined taking the admission fee those of us who attended thought we were going to pay for participating in this tour, as he considered it a dry run practice for himself in case he decided to do it regularly.

Best wishes to Tom and the entire Groff Family in this difficult time.

-Dave

Yes Dave it was the same night there were a handful of us but that was the last time he did it. 

I was moved to tears when I learned of this on a phone call from Kristi. I worked with Tom many times in producing the video he sells at the Choo Choo Barn. Tom was always friendly, upbeat, full of ideas and energy...definitely a "glass is half full" kind of guy.

As my buddy Jim Barrett said a few posts above this one,"...The Groff family have always been true ambassadors of the O gauge hobby..."

Well said, Jim. There is no greater legacy than that.

Sorry to learn of this....

Ponz

I've never met Tom, but I have purchased a few items from the Choo Choo Barn which was a solid A+ experience. My sympathies, thought and prayers go out to him and his family.  

My family and I have visited many times over the years. The layout is inspiring and I loved taking pictures and video to study for my future layout. I've been going to Strasburg since 1982....first with my parents as a teenager and then later with my wife and kids. The Choo Choo Barn never gets old and it's been fun to bring each of my children for their first time there. And now I get to do it again with my granddaughter (1 month old) and another grandchild on the way. Tom's hard work making that magical layout, with all its wonderful miniature representations of real places in Lancaster, is very much appreciated by this family. God bless and thoughts and prayers for Tom and his family. BigRail

Our Family is very sad to hear about this. we have been their 3 Times in the last 25 Yrs. It really inspired The Family.  May God Be With You.  The Elesh Family

Visited many times and talked to Tom many times, it was a pleasure to talk to him every time. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. May god take care of him in his last days.

Dave

Sorry to here about Tom. I have been to the choo choo barn several times over the years.

Prayers to Tom and His Family.  My family and I had wonderful times at the Choo Choo Barn.

I have only been to the Choo Choo Barn once, about 25 years ago, but I regard it as the best hobby/model train store I have ever been to in my life, with a absolutely gorgeous layout. 

Arnold

Tom's creation has always been fresh and creative.  Neat clean and orderly, much like it's builder. 

May God grant the family peace and eternal insight at this transition of life.

I met Tom on two occasions and we had a chance to chat. While I didn't know him real well I found him to be cheerful, hospitable and friendly. The layout at the Choo Choo barn was certainly a "one of a kind" creation. Tom had many creative animations on that  layout and he designed and built those well. Prayers for Tom and the Groff family through this most difficult time.

God Bless Tom and his family. You have given countless moments of enjoyment to my family.

It’s so sad to hear this news, Tom, such an inventive type gentleman, is going to pass away. His layout in the Choo Choo Barn is a must see/visit when one goes to York.  The layout has so many unique features that makes it almost the 8th Wonder of the world.  Our prayers will be with Tom and his family and his many friends. Thank you all for posting this thread.  

In addition to the many abundant talents Tom had to share, it seems like he had been gifted with a healthy dose of courage as well. Thank you for sharing this update, sad as it is. I'll join in wishing the Groff family every grace.

On our trip to Strasburg last month, we did not get the chance to visit the Choo Choo Barn. Very saddened to hear this horrible news. We're returning to Strasburg in October for you-know-what, but we'll have to fit the Choo Choo Barn into our schedule.

We'll all miss you, Tom, and we hope your final days are filled with nothing but love and joy from your family, friends, employees, customers, and all of us here on the OGR Forum.

I’ve been a Choo Choo Barn fan since re-entering the hobby 30 years ago and have enjoyed many visits with my boys when they were younger.  My thoughts and prayers are with Tom and his family.

Curt

Thoughts and prayers to Tom and his family. Visited last October for the first time. An incredible layout indeed and talented man!!! 

Bob

Prayers sent to Tom, and his family..

One of my all-time favorite purchases for my layout was made from the Choo Choo Barn 25 years ago, and it wasn't a train, it was the Kramer O Scale baseball figures below:

That Kramer set of figures also includes the outfielders not shown in the above photo.

It was love at first sight when I first saw these baseball figures at the Choo Choo Barn. My wife and young children were with me when I bought them, she approved the purchase knowing how much I love baseball, and I have been thrilled with these baseball figures ever since.

I tell this story not to glorify the purchase, but to give one example of the joy and happiness that the Choo Choo Barn train store and layout have provided to hundreds of thousands of people over the decades, and continue to provide to those with the good fortune to frequent their store. Arnold

Many visits over many years. He will leave a wonderful "living" memorial.

Tom, the Groff family, and his entire staff have certainly have added much to the collective pleasure for those of us who have visited his extensive exhibit.   

This visit from a 2011 trip to the TCA YORK meet is but a brief overview   of his constantly rolling layout.

For those who have visited before, this is another return; for many others, it's an opportunity for an introduction.  For all it's images that will continue on.

Fantastic layout and video of it. Thanks for sharing, Woodshire Bill. Arnold

Sad news, he will be long remembered and is in my prayers.

Peter

I am very sorry to read this post. I've lost track of the number of visits I have made to the ChooChoo Barn over the years. The layout and Tom's work have given me many ideas for my own layout. 

Thank you Tom for all you have done!

Chris

LVHR

My prayers to him and his family. He brought a lot of joy to a lot of people.

Many thanks to Tom for the joy he has brought to everyone who visited the Choo Choo Barn.  The display was a "must-do" activity for visitors to Strasburg.

Kirk

www.SGMA.us

My wife and I were deeply saddened to hear about Tom's battle with cancer and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time.

Tom truly was a wonderful ambassador for the model train industry and hobby. When you think about all of the people who have been entertained, thrilled and encouraged to get into the hobby as a result of visiting the Choo Choo Barn, his contribution to the hobby is immeasurable.

We've enjoyed visiting the Choo Choo Barn many times over the years and have always come away with new ideas and concepts that we incorporated onto our layout.

Steve Tapper

Tom's not 'dropped his fire' just yet...

So, knowing that as long as he has life, he has hearing......we were told as our parents passed that it's one of the last senses to shut down, that we should be careful how we speak in their presence.  So be sure to convey to him the love and deepest appreciation that's in our responses.

And on behalf of the hundreds-plus kids....of all ages....who have embraced this hobby for having toured your handiwork and artistic abilities, Tom, rest peacefully knowing that Our Saviour has loving arms with which to greet you.

I never met Tom but know what he and his family are going through.  My prayers are with Tom and his entire family, may you all be comforted by the arms of the Lord in this time and forevermore.

A great public loss!. I have been selling parts to the Choo Choo Barn for years. Just received a check signed by Tom for the last order yesterday in the mail. My sympathy goes out to the family, Eric and the rest of the crew.  Harry 

Thank you so much to Tom and all the Groff family who's hard work and dedication has brought to the world this wonderful display of toy train dreams. Starting with Grand-Pop George I cannot hope to express the joy you have brought to my family and countless others who where fortunate enough to visit the Choo-Choo Barn.

Of course my prayers go out to the whole Groff family but for some reason that seems to be a shallow expression as compared to all the good you have brought to this world through your expression of the toy train art.

Suffice to say the love Tom and  George with their tradition has shown the world should come back to the Groff family a thousand times over.

God Bless to you all.

So sorry to hear of this. Tom is a genius at making this hobby "come to life". I was fortunate enough to meet him once. A friend of mine owns the HO scale Strasburg Model Railroad Club of South Jersey. After displaying his layout at the Strasburg Museum in 2017, we went to the Choo Choo Barn. When Tom heard we were there, he came down to greet us. He gave us the "grand tour", including behind the scenes and answered numerous questions. His ingenuity is surpassed only by his good will. 

May God bless Tom and his family 

Prayers for Tom and his family.

Tom Groff has now passed away.  Rest in peace Mr. Choo Choo Barn.

Stu

My prayers are with Toms family during this time of grief. 

Rest in peace, Tom. You generated much happiness while you were with us.

May Tom's friends and family take consolation during this time that although his journey here on Earth is completed he's begun a new and glorious one that is pain free with memories that will never be diminished or forgotten of all those whose lives he enriched while here.  God bless.

We are saddened to hear of the loss of Tom Groff who owned the Choo Choo barn in Strasberg, PA. I believe Tom was 77.  While only meeting Tom a couple of times, I found him to come off as a good and decent man. He regularly gave to charities and helped the least among us.  Surely he has earned a place with our Lord and savior in heaven.  Our prayers to the Groff family in their time of grief.  Tom will be missed.

The hand built model railroad exhibit was originally built by George Groff, Toms father. Tom continued the work by adding many animations to the layout that he designed and built himself. Today the third generation of the Groff family continues it's operation and the exhibit is not only great to see but remains as a Legacy to Thomas and George Groff. 

Rest in Peace, Tom.

You put a lot of smiles on the faces of kids of all ages.

From the email I received today from his daughter Kristi: "...My dad passed yesterday afternoon. It was peaceful and he is no longer suffering..."

The hobby and the world has lost a truly GOOD man. May he rest in peace.

OMG! May God Bless him and his family! He will sorely be missed! I hope the Choo choo Barn will go on in his memory! God Speed and High ball all the way!

Rest In Peace Tom.   Prayers for the family.  

Today is a sad day for sure. Tom and his layout brought much happiness to the train lovers of all ages, and his creation will go on to do the same for years to come. May he rest in peace. 

The Family at Corner Field Model Railroad Museum & Hobby Shop, we are all very sadden to hear of his loss. We pray the family will come through this and stick together and overcome this sadness. Tom Sr, Tom Jr., Vicki & Ashley. 

May he rest in peace!

God bless him. I'm very sorry to hear and never got the chance to meet him.

I may have met Tom when I went with my wife and young children 25 years ago to the Choo Choo Barn. What a fabulous LHS and splendid l as yout there!

I also bought one of my favorite train related items during my visit to the Choo Choo Barn: my Kramer Products metal O Scale baseball figures. Here are some of them: I am just one of perhaps millions of people that has experienced joy and happiness thanks to Tom and the Choo Choo Barn. Arnold

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.  May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to his family, may he Rest In Peace 

Alex 

Toms' legacy of inspiring others is a special achievement. Wanting to put a smile on faces and getting same, I'm sure was a great vibe. May he rest in peace. May his family be looked after by the Almighty.

Rest in peace Tom. God bless your spirit and your family and friends.

Thank you for your wonderful contribution to our hobby and lives in general. 

I just hope and pray that another conservator can be found so your talents and memory can live on in perpetuity.    

His work has delighted me, my children, and now my grand children...all 10 of of them.

Rest in peace Tom.  I first met Tom 38 years ago and he was always a valued friend and a great  source of information.  Tom will be missed in the hobby.   Tom did a lot for his community and his passing will touch a large number of people.  We all will suffer a great loss with his passing.

Rest In Peace Tom. Our deepest sympathy to Toms family.

Sincere condolences to the Groff family.  Tom's talents certainly entertained and educated generations throughout the years.

Condolences to Tom’s family and friends.  His creativity provided much enjoyment and entertainment to me and my three boys over the years.

Curt

What a Blessing it has been having Tom part of our OGauge lives all these years. Condolences to his family. 

The world is a darker place today....

My deepest sympathy to the Groff family.  Tom's work has been a part of my life and the boys' lives over the years.  May he rest in peace.

George

Very sad. Condolences to Tom’s family. Thank you Tom for being a true ambassador to our hobby and an incredibly talented man. It was an honor knowing you and sharing this wonderful hobby. 

Meet Tom working on his canvas......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KbrleCVzQ8

I have always enjoyed watching his videos, he will be with us for a long time in his videos.

Gary

My wife, Kathie, and I just visited the Choo Choo Barn the day before the fall York Meet; it's always a wonderful visit. We especially enjoy seeing other visitors' kids' reactions as they make their way around the layout. It always reminds us of how much our daughter enjoyed it when she was a kid.

Our condolences to Tom's family. Hopefully, they'll be able to continue to operate and maintain the Choo Choo Barn as his legacy.

Chris

May God bring peace and comfort to the entire family

Tom will be greatly missed

Thank you for decades of dedication to the hobby and the smiles you put on countless visitors faces. Strasburg will miss you. My condolences to all of Tom's friends and family. BigRail 

Sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family.

Sorry to hear this. I was just there last month. Condolences to his family.

I remember as a young boy seeing Choo Choo barn every summer for at least ten years in a row from when I was 6 to 16 yeas old. I always wanted a layout like Choo Choo barn's, but, of course, I was not allowed the space in the house as the layout was bigger than the basement. Years later and after joining TCA I made it a stop every six months to see the improvements/modifications that Mr. Tom would make on the layout.

And now, Mr. Tom has passed on from this Earthly Terminal to the Next. I am sure that all who saw this layout, or even had a chance to talk to Mr. Tom will never forget his kindness and his ideas that he showed all of us.

Mr. Tom, I pray that you have Eternal Peace, Now and for all Eternity.

Very sad to hear about this. My wife and I and our three girls visited the Choo Choo Barn and the Strasburg Train Shop many times over the years as they were growing up. Tom was a great man and his legacy will live on. Like many others, I hope the family will be able to continue to keep both open. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom's family.

Pat 

Very sad to hear about the loss of Tom Groff.We will always be indebted for his contributions to the hobby of model railroading.

Thank you to your contribution to this great hobby Tom. A top notch layout that is enjoyed by all, and an inspirational place for many.

After reading about the Choo Choo Barn in train magazines for 30 years,I finally got to see the super impressive layout this past September during my trip to see the N & W 611 steam engine in Strasburg. I loved seeing all the custom animations on the layout. The employee at the front register was providing note cards to write a message to Tom,so I was able to let him know how happy I was to see his elaborate creation.

Right across the street from the Choo Choo barn was a field of corn being harvested by Amish farmers shown in the photo above.

A wonderful man. Always kind and ready to spread the word about trains. The first train I bought for my daughter was from Choo Choo Barn.  Many days we made the short drive from New Cumberland to Strasburg and each included the Red Caboose Motel, Toy Train and State Train Museums, and the Choo Choo Barn. God's speed Tom.

My deepest sympathies to Tom's family.

After reading the OGR email today on the sale of the Choo Choo Barn and train shop I paused to think of my friend Tom.  It’s been 3 years and I’ve not forgotten him.  I can only consider myself fortunate to have known him.   He was truly special.  

Unfortunately, I never met Tom, but was fortunate to visit the Choo Choo Barn with my wife and young children in the mid 1990s.

I think what I'm about to say I've said before on the Forum. The Choo Choo Barn is the best model train shop I've ever visited, bar none. The layout in the shop was marvelous.

During this visit, I bought something I treasure. I saw Kramer Product O Scale metal baseball figures on sale for $150. I thought that was expensive back then, so I showed them to my wife, mentioned the price, and asked her what do you think? She gave the perfect answer, she said: you love baseball, go ahead and buy them. I did.

That was the beginning of my Popsicle Stick Yankee Stadium:

Arnold

I had a couple discussions with Tom about his automation techniques, he was always interested in new ways to do things.  On a visit to the Choo Choo Barn, I got a look behind the curtain, I hope the place finds a new owner and continues on.

Mom and dad took us to the Choo Choo barn as kids. Now I'm here on the forum, about 20 years later,working on my own model railroad. That's the shortest way I can say what I mean to say.

On one of my six visits to the fantastic Choo Choo Barn during York week, I entered the train room and Amish parents plus their ~10-year old son were in front of me.  Without disturbing their privacy and being respectful of their religion, I learned quite a bit about Amish customs and the father's leadership of family.

The young boy was completely enthralled with the trains and the display and proudly shouted when seeing the "Amish house" on the layout:  THAT'S LIKE OUR HOUSE!!

A great cultural lesson for me.

I do hope that someone will continue the Choo Choo Barn legacy.

With years of attending York, and exploring SE Pa., and with Amish in eastern Indiana and lots in NE Ohio, l know there are Dunkards, and Mennonites, as well as Amish (and others?).  Pre- COVID, at a large show in NE Ohio, l was startled (should l have been?)  to pass a table of HO with a vendor with a young boy at his table , both dressed in that familiar garb.  Which l understand has variety.  I was thinking "electricity"?  I have seen "black-bumper Mennonites", not allowed to have flashy chrome on vehicles.  In Pa. or ?, are these denominations, maybe first two, active in trains?

I loved taking my kids to the Choo Choo Barn when they were small. I sure hope it's still there for them to bring their children and grandchildren. With the number of train loving people who pass through that area, with the Strasburg Railroad, the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum and the Toy Train Museum right there, the right owner should be able to keep it alive and successful. Unlike Roadside America, the audience is right there.

For me putting the size of the layout in perspective, in square feet the Choo Choo Barn layout is more than 3 times larger than the layout in the old Lionel Showroom in New York City.

My boys are 6 and 3. I've been there three times with my oldest and twice as a family since we have had the little guy. We planned to go a different time recently but they were closed due to weather. I'm going to take them again soon since there is no telling how long it'll be there. I sincerely hope someone buys it and it doesn't end up like Roadside America, which closed before we could visit.

I didn't know Tom, but he was clearly a very intelligent man and that layout is stunning.

@PRRick posted:

... I'm going to take them again soon since there is no telling how long it'll be there. I sincerely hope someone buys it and it doesn't end up like Roadside America, which closed before we could visit.

I didn't know Tom, but he was clearly a very intelligent man and that layout is stunning.

That's a very important and timely reminder.  Many things in our hobby are the result of one person's vision and energy, and when they're gone...

The Choo Choo Barn has been a happy exception, as it has continued through multiple generations, but we shouldn't take it for granted.  I've fallen into that trap before - I procrastinated about visiting the East Broad Top for years, and then it went dormant for nearly a decade.  I was fortunate to make it to Roadside America a few years ago, and it was obviously fading.  Many of these places will fall victim to changes in tastes, demographics, and real estate usage.

Find the time to visit those people and places that intrigue us while we can.  The NJ Hi-Railers are on my list - trying to make it happen in 2024.

So his daughter is selling the place.  Wow!  What a dream business for a forum member.  It's profitable, too!  You could probably learn a ton just by digging into the inner workings of that magnificent layout.  Perhaps a group or club could buy it. 

If I were 10-20 years younger, I would seriously consider a run at buying it.  In the meantime, I'll continue to watch the video I bought from their website many years ago now (one of my all-time favorites) and hope I get a chance to visit the layout and new owner(s).

@colorado hirailer posted:

Pre- COVID, at a large show in NE Ohio, l was startled (should l have been?)  to pass a table of HO with a vendor with a young boy at his table , both dressed in that familiar garb.  Which l understand has variety.  I was thinking "electricity"?  I have seen "black-bumper Mennonites", not allowed to have flashy chrome on vehicles.  In Pa. or ?, are these denominations, maybe first two, active in trains?

Sounds like the show in Mt. Hope.  I try not to miss that show as it is one of the largest in the tri-state area and an easy day trip from the Pittsburgh area.  Once, at that show (Mt. Hope), I witnessed an Amish buying a Lionel MPC-era Amtrak set.  At a later show, I asked a Mennonite I was chatting with while waiting in line about it, and he said the Amish in that area were allowed to use items like this as long as they were not in the house (in other words, kept in the barn) and were powered by battery or windmill driven generator.  Others with lots of experience in dealing with Amish have told me that the rules governing the use of electric items can vary from congregation to congregation, but the common denominator is no connection to the electrical grid.

Back to the original topic, I have been to the Choo Choo Barn twice.  Once as a kid in the early 80's, and once again as an adult in the mid 00's right before I got back into trains -- who knows, maybe that visit is why I am here right now.   I hope that they can find someone to take over and keep it going, and in the mean time, I hope to get back there again some day to see it from an in-the-hobby perspective.

Andy

Condolences to the family.  It is a  hard decision to sell a mans life work and business.  John Allen's HO empire was attempted to be maintained as a club RR until the house burned. You read everyday about a successful business closing with the death of its founder or that last child that continued to run it successfully for decades.  In Bryson City, NC is a Lionel museum and store    https://www.gsmr.com/smoky-mountain-trains-museum/   is there because of donations and bequethments and the hard work of volunteers and paid staff.  Perhaps to preserve the Choo Choo Barn if shutdown is inevitable,  that avenue could be pursued.

I watched a video some time ago showing Tom creating and maintaining some of his animations. There is no way I could ever duplicate, create or maintain any of his creations. He was simply a very talented and gifted hobbyist.

It is a neat place.  Looks like the family is trying to sell.  Based on my experiences in a past life, the success of that sales venture will depend on how realistic the valuation of the cash flow and the inventory is, and whether the financial statements and other documentation backing it up are credible and detailed - auditing quality varies widely.  All stuff to be resolved in a sale process.  But I hope it remains open and viable.  

This makes me so sad, it just reminds me how close we are to the end of our journey. I now know what my father meant by being the sole survivor.