From the Tug Commanche page.

Tom Payne, chief engineer on Comanche and one of its Foundation co-founders discusses operating the c1944 Cleveland V-12 278A engine on the ship with assistant engineer Dan Hallenback. We regret to note that Tom is in hospice, at home on Garfield Street, with only a few days to live. When he 'crosses the bar' we will post more info about this amazing man.

He passed away today (10/1/17)

There was all kinds of negativism out there regarding the use and operation of the 2100 while it was in WA.

Rather than focus on that, I'd like to say here that with Tom's blessing, I was invited up in 2006 as a guest of his operation and put up for 3 nights in a local motel. Tom also took a bunch of us out to dinner one night and I was given a ride in the 4-8-4 from the yard, up Tacoma Hill to the lunch site, He certainly was capable of generosity.

RIP Tom

We at American Steam were sad to hear of Toms passing. Without him, who knows where 2100 would be, or if it would be at all. We wish his loved ones comfort and strength with our deepest regrets.
Russ - American Steam Railroad Preservation Association Secratary.

All I know is I got to see 2100 running and rode behind it, at Tacoma. The ride was very good and worth every penny. I talked with him at the lunch stop and he was very nice to train fans, even stopped to explain everything about 2100 who wanted to listen.

RIP.

I was invited to ride the cab the same day (08-26-2006) along with Tom Moungovan and took this picture of Tom Payne while he was making a point about some subject which I no longer remember.

Tom Moungovan and I were quite surprised at seeing each other that day having not done so since June 1967 when he was riding the cab of the VSP&S #105 (ex-Oregon American Lumber Co. #105) which I was firing on the SP&S Vernonia Branch.