Growth of tomato plants is checked if they are exposed to low temperatures. Otherwise maybe the 8 weeks in potting soil without fertilizer is the problem. Without a photo or even a description of what constitutes "pitiful" in this particular instance nobody here is going to be able to zero in on what the exact problem may be. However if you have a USDA Cooperative Extension Service branch office or a good independent garden center nearby you could try taking a few of your plants there and seeing what they say. To use the Extension office you will have to go there when they are open during weekdays. Or find out where and when one of their Master Gardener clinics is being held (if you go to the office you may get input from the Extension agent, whereas the clinics are always "manned" by volunteers that have taken and passed a course). If you try a garden center avoid showing up during a busy time like Saturday afternoon so as to have the best chance of getting somebody's full attention.