Stolen Model Train Layout reported in Columbus, Ohio

[Buckeye Riveter]

You never know when one of us out there could all of sudden realize that we were looking at something too good to be true. From the Columbus Dispatch, Sunday, January 22, 2006 it was reported by Dean Narciso the following:

Model train enthusiasts’ trailer stolen
14-foot unit holds disassembled model of rural landscape hand-built by club
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Dean Narciso
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Full size, the rural landscape of farms, rivers, a junkyard and gravel company would blanket 40 to 50 acres.

Disassembled and stacked in modules, it fit snugly within a 14-foot trailer parked in Clintonville.

The meticulously detailed model was the backdrop for an N-scale model railroad track and was stolen from the 25-member Central Ohio N-trak Club sometime Wednesday or Thursday, said club secretary Craig Sonnen.

Stored outside 3840 N. High St., the trailer had been broken into twice before, but nothing was taken, he said.

Stronger locks were installed, but they couldn’t stop thieves from making off with the entire single-axle utility trailer, said Sonnen. The trailer has Ohio license plate SPD 7907. The trailer and its contents — 12 modules, each from 2 feet to 8 feet long — have an estimated value of $5,000, according to the club.

The hours of volunteer effort in building the 1/160-scale replicas, however, are incalculable, said club member David White.

"It was a year’s worth of work," he said. "Needless to say, we’re devastated about it."

Sonnen said he fears the trailer may be of greater value to the thieves than its contents.

"I think it’s just somebody who wanted a trailer to haul things. My great fear is that they just took the modules and threw them alongside the road or over an embankment."

The display was last exhibited at The Great Train Expo on Jan. 14 at the Ohio Expo Center.

"The shame of this is, we do all of this for the kids, to watch their faces," said White. "It’s just unbelievable."

[csxt30]

Buckeye : that is terrible & thanks for sharing & we all will be looking for that liscence plate #. Keep us posted if they find it.
Thanks, John

[laz 57]

BUCKEYE,
Did the CHIEF say he had to fly north on business?
And he still doesn't have his layout done?
HMMMMM.......................?
laz57

[csxt30]

QUOTE: Originally posted by laz 57

BUCKEYE,
Did the CHIEF say he had to fly north on business?
And he still doesn't have his layout done?
HMMMMM.......................?
laz57

We could be onto something, here ! [:D]

[wrmcclellan]

Wonder if they'll find any GRITS as evidence [:O]

[LS1Heli]

I just do not understand. Out of all the stuff there is to steal in world- money, credit cards, identitiy, expensive cars, jewerly, firearms, drugs, electronics, etc.

Some genius decides to steal a model train set. [%-)]

What's he going to do? Set up in his basement!

[nitroboy]

I saw that display at the show they just did. Its a real shame, that thing was nice!!!

[Anonymous]

I have a short utility trailer I keep a model city in. I display it in the trailer through widows I put in. It makes for a quick set up. Drive it in and plug it in and youy are good to go.

I feel really bad for the club and thier lost money and time.

On my trailer I have a device that has a ball that fills the hitch and then locks around the hitch and prevents someone from hooking it to a ball and driving off which sounds like what happened here. The only way to get it off would be to cut off the hitch itself which would defeat the purpose of the theif as they would have to weld a new one on the take the trailer. It seems a good deterent. Mine was made by Masterlock. I think it cost $40 at a specialty trailer store.

It can't help them now but maybe next time or as advice to others.

[laz 57]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LS1Heli

I just do not understand. Out of all the stuff there is to steal in world- money, credit cards, identitiy, expensive cars, jewerly, firearms, drugs, electronics, etc.

Some genius decides to steal a model train set. [%-)]

What's he going to do? Set up in his basement!

No on the carpet.
laz57

[Anonymous]

i'm sure they just wanted the trailor... common theives can "move" or sell a train layout..

[Anonymous]

Trailer theft is a problem here too - best advice I can give (which comes from having read numerous articles in the caravan press about thefts) is as follows - get a hitchlock (one that covers the hitch opening), use a wheelclamp, and if possible park the thing against a wall and install those lockable security posts (the type that hinge down allow access but can then be raised and locked) to block it in. If you do those three it's highly unlikely they'll be able to move the thing quickly or quietly, and they'll probably go after the one down the road that only has a weedy hitchlock. Expensive? Maybe - I'd estimate you'd be looking at about £100 or so for the lock and clamp, maybe another £200 for the posts. However, some insurance companies will give a discount for using these things and they're still considerably cheaper than a new trailer!

[Anonymous]

Hmmm.

Terrible. I can't belive that there are poeple who want to steal things like trailers.

I hope they get caught soon. The dirty theives. If they dump the trailer in a parking lot somewhere, I hope they drive into a tree.

I wi***hings like this wouldn't happen.

[marxalot]

Someone in Indianapolis stole a trailer that had an Indy Racing League car in it earlier this week! They ended up just leaving the whole thing by the side of the road elsewhere. Crazy... I guess the recommedations to lock those things down and down good are to be heeded. Hopefully whoever took it will do something similar with the train layouts.

Jim