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Tomar - Still in business?

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  • Member since
    January 2013
  • 1,034 posts
Posted by PM Railfan on Monday, June 7, 2021 11:42 PM

gmpullman
 
Tophias
 Was wondering if they have closed?

 

I believe Tomar has been purchased by the folks that go by the name Theresa and Joel  Prantle (TJ Trains)  from Pasco, Washington. These people have had a big eBay presence in the past and it seems like they are using their resources to buy up smaller outfits, such as Precision Scale and the like. They seem to be making a go at it at least.

I'd say keep trying through several channels, either through their eBay connection or perhaps that Facebook thing:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/TJ-Model-Trains-112695635467829/posts/

eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/contact/sendmsg?message_type_id=14&recipient=j-tprantle

 

Good Luck, Ed

 

Thanks for this Ed, I didnt know the Prantles did this. I buy from them too. Great outfit! Glad to know a good company is in good hands.  - Douglas

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 239 posts
Posted by TheFlyingScotsman on Sunday, June 6, 2021 5:50 PM

Thanks for that Ed. 

They're beautiful looking items and given your experience I think I will plunge in. Assuming they are still available.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, June 6, 2021 5:11 PM

Hello, Scotsman

Once the fiddly adjustments were made and one slight "kink" in the operating wire was worked out the semaphore works very reliably.

It is a conglomeration of several components. The semaphore itself has a fine operating wire, maybe .010" piano wire. This connects to a Circutron remote Tortoise activator and the Tortoise itself is mounted to another part of this remote activator.

Then a special edge-card connector is mounted to the Tortoise to stop it mid-travel for the yellow aspect.

The whole thing is then controlled by a Rail Logic Signal Animator which uses a photocell or, optionally, IR detectors.

I recently finished up a manual two-blade train order semaphore and this is actuated by a pair of Hump Yard Purveyor interlocking levers.

While only a small detail these animated semaphores make a pretty neat addition to a layout.

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 239 posts
Posted by TheFlyingScotsman on Sunday, June 6, 2021 4:50 PM

Question for Ed re the Tomar Semaphore on the YouTube site:

I was really impressed by that item and if memory serves correctly that was a few months back now and I was wondering if it had proved reliable? 

I really would like a few but wondered how it had been for you. 

Cheers.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, June 5, 2021 12:43 AM

OT Dean
Ed (and others), I've doen a lot of business with the Prantles via ebay, in the last few years (and the last few weeks, as well) and have been quite satisfied with the quality of the PSC castings I bought and their service, which is also excellent.

Me, too, and I agree. They first got my attention years ago when they offered a huge inventory of Microscale decals. Then they built up their inventory of other detail parts. TJ Trains has been one of my first resources when I'm searching for long OOP parts.

Now, how about Jordan Highway Miniatures? Rumor has it the molds are gone?

Regards, Ed

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, June 5, 2021 12:10 AM

I agree that the Prantles are worthy purchasers of Tomar Industries signals product line.

I will miss dealing with Duane and Marie who sold Tomar Industries signals to the Prantles. Every signal on my layout is a Tomar Industries signal. I have search lights, singles and doubles, dwarf signals and crossing signals. These are all excellent products.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Duluth, MN
  • 424 posts
Posted by OT Dean on Friday, June 4, 2021 11:40 PM

gmpullman
Tophias  Was wondering if they have closed? I believe Tomar has been purchased by the folks that go by the name Theresa and Joel  Prantle (TJ Trains)  from Pasco, Washington. These people have had a big eBay presence in the past and it seems like they are using their resources to buy up smaller outfits, such as Precision Scale and the like. They seem to be making a go at it at least. I'd say keep trying through several channels, either through their eBay connection or perhaps that Facebook thing:

Ed (and others), I've doen a lot of business with the Prantles via ebay, in the last few years (and the last few weeks, as well) and have been quite satisfied with the quality of the PSC castings I bought and their service, which is also excellent.  My new locomotive project needs lots of items I hadn't stockpiled.

Deano

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, June 3, 2021 6:46 PM

Tophias

Good news! I did in fact have the wrong email address. I used the info@tomarindustries.com a few hours ago and have already received a reply from Theresa authorizing a return for replacement. Nicely done Tomar! 

Good news, indeed.  Yes

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 543 posts
Posted by Tophias on Thursday, June 3, 2021 4:33 PM

Good news! I did in fact have the wrong email address. I used the info@tomarindustries.com a few hours ago and have already received a reply from Theresa authorizing a return for replacement. Nicely done Tomar!

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 543 posts
Posted by Tophias on Thursday, June 3, 2021 11:25 AM

It appears I have the correct phone number. I've left four messages in the last two months. No call back from them.  The email address I might have wrong. I had sales@tomar.com but I see on the new website it's now info@tomarindustries.com. So I'll try that one today

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 8:57 PM

Here is the link to their website. Are you calling the right number? I dealt with them recently. Tomar Industries is alive and well.

https://tomarindustries.com/

 

 

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 8:50 PM

Tophias
 Was wondering if they have closed?

I believe Tomar has been purchased by the folks that go by the name Theresa and Joel  Prantle (TJ Trains)  from Pasco, Washington. These people have had a big eBay presence in the past and it seems like they are using their resources to buy up smaller outfits, such as Precision Scale and the like. They seem to be making a go at it at least.

I'd say keep trying through several channels, either through their eBay connection or perhaps that Facebook thing:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/TJ-Model-Trains-112695635467829/posts/

eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/contact/sendmsg?message_type_id=14&recipient=j-tprantle

 

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 7:22 PM

Hopefully not.  As you know many MR shops are side businesses.  Covid took out our forum member Randy Rinker, it may have taken out the owner of Tomar.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 543 posts
Tomar - Still in business?
Posted by Tophias on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 6:58 PM

In January I purchased several Tomar signals. All went well, prompt delivery. Several weeks ago I went to install one and tested it first and one of the searchlight was dead. No big deal, I'll ask to exchange it. But now the problem-after several phone calls that go to voice message,and  three emails I have heard nothing back.  Was wondering if they have closed? Too bad if so.

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