Tom McComas (My Lionel Train) Tribute

This is a tribute to Tom McComas, a longtime Model Railroad video producer who owned, operated & founded TM Books & Video in 1974. McComas, who was a video producer of films alongside being a writer, producer, & director of commercials & documentaries, got involved in toy trains in 1970 by accident when he was given 3 boxes of toy trains by a client of his Chicago-based production company. In 1971, following a dinner with invited guests, Tom was offered 5000 dollars for his newly acquired collection of toy trains but declined the offer. In 1972, Tom got involved with the Train Collectors Association & shortly afterwards began writing books with Chicago Tribune author James Touhy. Tom's Lionel Collectors Guide books sold very well and finally applied his model train knowledge to the silver screen & created Lionel the Movie in 1976. (the first of many TM Videos to come.) Over the next 4 decades, Tom oversaw the production of hundreds of Model Railroad Videos & Books such as Great Toy Train Layouts of America, Toy Train Revue, Lionel Nation, A Century of Lionel Legendary Trains & the wildly popular I Love Toy Trains series & produced several videos for companies such as Lionel & John Deere (just to name a few.) Tom would hit the big time in 1993, when he was asked to appear on Tom Snyder's CNBC cable show to talk toy trains. (with the show being a massive hit & kept the phone lines busy each time it ran during the holiday season.) Tom would also visit Tom Snyder's Late Late Show in 1995, where he once again talked toy trains with Tom. His appearances on Tom Snyder's CNBC & CBS Shows can be seen here:
   • Tom Snyder's Love for Model Trains, Novemb...  
   • Late Late Show with Tom Snyder - Tom McCom...  

As a youth, I frequently borrowed my local library's TM videos & became hooked on his excellent videos. Some of my TM favorites include I Love Toy Trains, A Century of Lionel Legendary Trains, Great Toy Train Layouts of America, Great Lionel Layouts, Lionel Nation & the original Toy Train Revue. Tom's usage of footage from the Berkshire Productions shows sparked a fascination with the material and drove me to start the Berkshire Productions Preservation Project in 2020. I had the chance to talk with Tom on the phone in 2021 and although it was brief, I am very glad I had the chance to talk with him. Tom was one of my many inspirations & influences on how I produce my documentaries & music videos.

Unfortunately, Tom passed away on August 9th, 2024 at age 86. He leaves a towering legacy in model railroading, influenced many generations of people & remains in the thoughts & minds of millions across the world. Thanks for all the great videos & the happy memories. He will be dearly missed by many. May he rest in peace (April 20th, 1938 - August 9th, 2024)

This tribute has been produced in the TM style, with material from Tom's 1976 to 1996 videos.

Sources:

1. Lionel The Movie (1976)
This show can be purchased here:
https://www.tmbv.com/Lionel-The-Moviebr-3-...

2. Great Toy Train Layouts of Americas Parts 1 - 6 (1988 - 1993)

3. Toy Train Revue Parts 1 - 4 (1991 - 1992)
These shows can be purchased here:
https://www.tmbv.com/The-Original-Toy-Trai...

4. Great Lionel Layouts 1 & 2 (1996)
These shows can be purchased here:
https://www.tmbv.com/Great-Lionel-Layoutsb...

5. My Lionel Train - James Coffey (2000)