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Tichy Train Group history

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Tichy Train Group history
Posted by rrebell on Saturday, November 14, 2020 9:27 AM

I was putting in my 2 cents worth on another thread and I started to wonder about more of the details of this company. I know that they did the molds for Ertl and some for Intermountain and that Gould was their forrunner but thats about it except they made and make parts for lots of other kit makers.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, November 14, 2020 9:45 AM

In my oppinion, and for my needs, Tichy is one of the most important model railroad manufacturers out there.

I cannot think of another manufacturer that makes as many things that I use regularly. Everything from full freight car kits to window castings.

It would be interesting to know their history.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, November 14, 2020 10:14 AM

I did some searching for History of History of Tichy Train Group.

I found a link that said they registered in Farmingdale, NY in 1986.

No info when they moved. Seem to be the same company.

Present location registered in N.C. in 2006.

Below is a link to the facility made sometime ago.

https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/sr201706_tichytour.pdf

Maybe contacting the NMRA might help.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by dknelson on Saturday, November 14, 2020 10:21 AM

One of the nice things at the last few Trainfests here in Milwaukee (alas it is virtual Trainfest this year, in fact going on today the 14th) is that Tichy had a display and a large one.  I cannot swear they had every kit and every part and every decal they sell, but it was an awesome sight to see what they did bring.  Bag after bag after bag of all those structure details and you need to be patient because if you ever see it, you will find they make things that have long been on your "why doesn't somebody make -----" list.  

I do not know their history but I agree with Kevin: long may they prosper.

By the way one thing Tichy offers and is very useful for those of us who like structure building and kitbashing: boxes that have, seemingly, one each of every door and window they make.  They are not for using in a model, they are for letting you know very directly and physically what you need to purchase for your project.  I think there are two boxes in HO and maybe the same number for O and I got mine from MicroMark on sale (and I lurked until I got a free shipping offer from MicroMark).  

Dave Nelson

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Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, November 14, 2020 10:41 AM

In the search, I found a lot of useful information about Tichy products.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, November 14, 2020 12:57 PM

dknelson
One of the nice things at the last few Trainfests here in Milwaukee (alas it is virtual Trainfest this year, in fact going on today the 14th)

It doesn't appear to be going well.   

Mike.

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Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, November 14, 2020 1:26 PM

Today, it does not surprise me. Times are changing.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, November 14, 2020 7:11 PM

dknelson
...you will find they make things that have long been on your "why doesn't somebody make -----" list.

I definitely agree with that statement, Dave.  Tichy is one of my favourite "go-to" suppliers.  I ordered a bunch of stuff from them a couple of weeks ago, and was cautioned that it might take some time for my order to reach me here in Canada - it arrived in four days!

Wayne

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Posted by Pruitt on Saturday, November 14, 2020 9:28 PM

One of the things I like about them is that their costs are very reasonable.

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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, November 14, 2020 9:43 PM

I met Don Tichy at one of the Cleveland, Ohio area train shows. Nice fellow.

He seems receptive to suggestions as well. I sent him several "requests" one for the PRR style railing stanchions and another for PRR Keystone-shaped whistle posts.

Both these items are now available. Of course others may have made the same request but it doesn't hurt to ask.

His kits are well thought out, exceptionally detailed and his styrene fabrication is superb.

Regards, Ed

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Posted by wvg_ca on Saturday, November 14, 2020 10:44 PM

I have trouble with Tichy shipping to canada .. i fill out the order sheet, and it asks for a phone number to verify shipping costs first ... i have never gotten a call, or the items themselves in over two years ... before that i received items okay, don't remember about the shipping charges though, or if the phone call was made ??

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Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, November 15, 2020 2:12 AM

wvg_ca

I have trouble with Tichy shipping to canada .. i fill out the order sheet, and it asks for a phone number to verify shipping costs first ... i have never gotten a call, or the items themselves in over two years ... before that i received items okay, don't remember about the shipping charges though, or if the phone call was made ??

 
I was surprised when Don Tichy called, within minutes of placing my order, in-person, to verify my order, but as I mentioned, it got here very promptly, and exactly as-ordered. 
I usually have my ordered stuff from the U.S. sent to a very good friend in Ohio,  and pick it up when I visit, usually for a few days, several times a year.  That option hasn't been available at all this year, and he's got a fair amount of my stuff cluttering-up his layout building.
 
Wayne
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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, November 15, 2020 3:30 AM

richg1998
Below is a link to the facility made sometime ago. https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/sr201706_tichytour.pdf

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the link to the Tichy factory tour. I love that sort of stuff!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, November 15, 2020 3:38 AM

wvg_ca
I have trouble with Tichy shipping to canada .. i fill out the order sheet, and it asks for a phone number to verify shipping costs first ... i have never gotten a call, or the items themselves in over two years ... before that i received items okay, don't remember about the shipping charges though, or if the phone call was made ??

I had the same problem a few years ago, but all my recent orders have come through no problem. I have recieved 5 or 6 orders within the last year or so. I have never had a phone call from them.

By the way, I think their phosphor bronze wire is fantastic! It has all the right properties needed for modelling. It bends nicely, it solders nicely and it is solid enough to withstand handling.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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  • From: Quebec
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Posted by Marc_Magnus on Monday, November 16, 2020 2:16 PM

When I still lived in Europe in Belgium, I have made numerous order to Tichy and have had never any trouble with them.

I think I placed around one order all two monhts without any trouble; delivery was quiet quick from US to Belgium around two weeks.

Now in Quebec it's my third order and nothing to say, as good as Europe

I use the order tools on the site simply, pay with my credit card and finish

So simple, so easy and first rate service in any case.

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Posted by oldline1 on Monday, November 16, 2020 2:53 PM

I don't know much about their history and always assumed they were Gould in the beginning. All I know is they make fantastic products and the customer support I've always received was way above most other model railroad companies. They are very responsive to comments or suggestions.

oldline1

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Posted by PC101 on Monday, November 16, 2020 8:46 PM

Tichy is/was my first stop when I went to Timonium. It did not take me long to realize I needed a basket to hold the bags of parts I was finding.

Then before I'd leave the show  I'd have to go though one more time... Oh look at that, how did I miss those. 

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