The "stealie boys" are at it again....

[MudHen_462]

The Buffalo, NY club was broken into and 33 locomotives and over 100 pieces of rolling stock were taken (just about all of it Modern Era equipment).
The theft was reported yesterday morning.

WHAT IS GOING ON !

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry to hear of their loss. I've contemplated the loss of my equipment a couple times. It's a scary thought that I hope would not happen to anyone. I just hope that they had their equipment NMRA insured.
Andrew Miller

[Anonymous]

You see reports in magazines over here of events like this. Given that model railroaders are a fairly close-knit and ethical bunch of people you have to wonder what the thieves intend to do - most of the items stolen would be very tricky to resell as most potential buyers would know exactly what they were!

Not sure if it's available in the US, but there was a system involving painted-on microdots available over here to "mark" your models (like writing a code of some type in UV-legible pen, but less obvious). The idea was that you put a small blob of the (transparent) paint containing the microdots on the model in an unobtrusive place. The dots glow when exposed to UV light, so recovered equipment could be returned to rightful owners (each pack had a unique code on the microdots, which was registered to the owner). There was also a small transponder unit for more valuable models (Model Rail used it on a large kitbuilt O-scale diesel loco) that would allow authorities to scan model show stands for stolen goods - very neat in my opinion!

[MudHen_462]

Good idea, Brit. There was another club that got hit about 3 or 4 weeks ago, and I also remember a dealer (I think it was in San Antonio..) had his trailer broken into and they got away with quite a haul. Almost all of the rolling stock in Buffalo were Intermodals".

It sounds like we have a couple of "wolves" in the flock....

IronGoat

[Javern]

better yet we need to get a OnStar-like service then we can locate our stolen power via sattelite

[Anonymous]

This makes me think that some of this "What's your Favorite Locomotive", "How much brass do you own" or "What's your most expensive loco" questions asked on here are not a good idea to respond to.

[Anonymous]

I agree. I have a small collection and I usually keep quiet about it in real life. My hobby shop is rather supportive when it comes to keeping people's locations quiet. Only the trusted few (friends) know about who has what.

I am betting if eBay suddenly has a influx of the modern equiptment at very low prices there may be where they are going.

[dharmon]

Time to start deputizing....round up the posse.......and apprehend these varmits. Have us a fair trial followed by a proper hangin'


Sounds like they had what they wanted in mind. If it was a random hit, they would have just taken anything...unless they thought newer was better and were attracted by bright shiny objects.

[cacole]

Isn't Buffalo close to the Canadian border? Here in Arizona, when something is stolen like that it is usually in Mexico, only 8 miles away, before the theft is discovered. There have been a couple of thefts of private collections here in the past couple of years, and not one single item has turned up yet in any of the local pawn shops, second hand stores, or flea markets. Some locomotives and rolling stock even had the road name "Cochise & Western Rail Road" and "Route of the Saguaro" stencils on them, and were painted a distinctive orange and gray. Every known hobby shop in Arizona was immediately notified of the thefts, so they could be on the lookout, but so far, not one single item has been returned.

[dknelson]

This kind of story does make you wonder about all these train flea markets out there. I have bought stuff from what purport to be model train estate sales ... but who knows where the stuff comes from? The fact that it is the same prototype and same price range and era is consistent with both a genuine estate sale and a massive theft.
Maybe model railroading needs what the art community needs -- a standard data base of stolen material with good descriptions and who to contact.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Cacole, Are you saying; Buffalo being close to Canada, it is likely those Canadian Gringos are responsible? If so, you owe our fine Canadian friends a heart felt appology! I am embarresed by this intonation and think you need to "Take a time out" and sit in the corner for a couple years!!!

It's getting pretty lonely in this world being an American. We have stepped on a lot of toes lately. Think about what you say here!!!

[cacole]

No, I'm certainly not saying anything against Canadians at all, I know some of them and they are very nice people -- the point I was trying to make is that if you are close to an international border, the stolen items could be going across that border, no matter where it is, in an attempt to prevent tracing and recovery. Police jurisdiction questions are the primary concern here, not anyone's nationality. If an item is stolen here in Arizona and the local city, county, or state police are notified, there's not much they can do as far as coordination with the Mexican law enforcement authorities. This problem is not rooted in their not wanting to help, but in a lack of adequate communication between the two countries.

[Eriediamond]

Folks, I hate to admit this, but I'm afraid we are going to be in for a lot more of this as time goes on. I'm not trying to be negative here but as our models are becoming high tech, high dollar items, the temptation also gets higher. Along with the deterioration of morals that is going on today, this is going to be a problem we will have to face. I better stop here before my blood pressure gets too high. It really bothers me to see whats going on in the world today. Regards, Ken

[88gta350]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dknelson

This kind of story does make you wonder about all these train flea markets out there. I have bought stuff from what purport to be model train estate sales ... but who knows where the stuff comes from? The fact that it is the same prototype and same price range and era is consistent with both a genuine estate sale and a massive theft.
Maybe model railroading needs what the art community needs -- a standard data base of stolen material with good descriptions and who to contact.
Dave Nelson

If a database like this were to exist, what would you guys like to see it be? A simple listing of stolen items so that if you came across a suspect piece you could alert the owners? Or somethign more? I might be interested in trying to set up something like this, but aren't sure where to start-design wise.

[dharmon]

I would say that really the only way you could do that was to serialize the merchandise at the manufacturer, which it cost prohibitive or etch a name/number on the equipment somewhere. Paint can be scraped, stripped or covered and tags can be taken off. So unless it is a rare or expensive piece and the buyer is aware that stuff is stolen and to look for it, it's going to be pretty hard to tell one Kato from another or this box of Athearn Husky Stacks is from this club and prove it's stolen. The idea of the unique marking dots has merit, but what's to keep a knowledgable theif or intermediator from removing the markings. As far as etching goes, what do you do if you decide to sell it of give it away? It's kind of like buying and selling guns outside of a dealer. The only thing you have to prove that the gun used in a crime isn't yours is a piece of paper, maybe, showing you sold it to Joe on this date. And likewise, if you buy one, you may have no idea that it wasn't.

I do see more and more of this on the various forums. Theft from clubs and dealers is rising.

[mustanggt]

I've heard of train show thefts but this is mutiny[:(] . did you check anyone out at the club?

[Anonymous]

that means there is a disgrungled or jealous club member, that opens a entire can of worms here.

[Eriediamond]

I've wanted to say this for some time now, but always passed it by as to not hurt anyones feelings or single anyone out. This subject has cracked the door open, so to speak, so I'll throw it out here and hope I'm wrong or paranoid or whatever you want to call it. I've often had those little red flags go up in my mind about the posts that pop up from time to time by people that are not regular members and ask what things are worth, that they recieved them from neighbors or relatives, etc. I know they are probably legitament but still I wonder because in some cases they join to only post that one post. Also seems strange that neighbors and relatives give give trains to people not in the hobby or interested in trains. Anyhow, just a thought I wanted to get of my chest. Thanks Ken

[Anonymous]

I sure hope that thay were UP locomotives.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF9838

I sure hope that thay were UP locomotives.

Actually, while most of the stuff were from northeastern railroads some UP stuff was stolen as well.

[Anonymous]

First post in a while for me but thought it would be handy to review an article that appeared in MR several years ago. Modeler received a phone call about someone wanting to buy some 'nice brass'. Modeler advises caller that he would NOT be home that day because he was attending a funeral. Caller agreed to contact him the next day. Modeler goes to funeral and returns home to find that someone (caller most likely) had already been there and helped himself to about $9,000 worth of brass. If people know that you have these items, do not advertise that you're not going to be home or whatever (no social announcements in the local paper!!!). Get a burglar alarm, buy a mean dog or invest in a large secure safe (gun safe or the like).

[lupo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF9838

I sure hope that thay were UP locomotives.

[:D][:D][:D]because they are at least worth an extra $5,= for the trademarks on them! [:D][:D][:D]
sorry couldn't resist

the fact that the modern era stuff was stolen suggests the thieves knew what they were taking, so it could be fellow modellers, that makes me sad, [xx(]
and makes me wonder if in the future I would respond to what is on your roster questions.

[Anonymous]

Until now I have worried more about a housefire than a burglary. I do have a Doberman. Around here the burglars have in the past even hurt watchdogs. To steal my models or rolling stock would make me mad. To hurt my dog would be cause for manslaughter. Sorry folks, but my dog IS part of the family. The models can be replace. But Duchess has a personality and a character, as does every dog. I hate thieves as much as anymore else. Years ago I had a 357 stolen from my house, along with stereo equipment and other guns. Then I didn't have any models or a watchdog. I do now on both counts.

I certainly hope no dealer or pawn shop would buy the stolen models. But just as in life some of them would and some of them wouldn't.

I usually don't respond to threads asking about prices or brass. I did respond to the thread asking about passenger car fleets. Engine models are getting pretty pricey these days. I would hate to have any of mine stolen. I would also be leary of anyone wanting to sell like-new engines at super discount prices.

I hope everyone here is on guard in these matters now. We certainly need to be.