Theft of engines and cars

[basementcalling]

My townhouse has been unoccupied for 10 months waiting reconditioning and repairs after my neighbor's unit experienced a major fire and complete collapse into its basement. That debris pile leaning on our shared wall prevented my from getting any work done on my place, and forced my to limit time in my unit because of potential instability issues with my floors and shared wall.

Neighbor finally started debris removal Wednesday. When I went by to get pictures for my insurance company of the shared wall, I noticed my outside AC unit was just gone. Someone took off the top grill and left that and the fan blades, but everything else was just gone. The entire storm glass window assembly on the basement window behind it had been unscrewed from the wall, set aside, and the main windows forced open. Looks like upward pressure applied until the wood on the frame splintered because the window was still in the locked position.

In checking the interior today, I found that a number of items had been removed from the basement including 2 copier paper sized boxes of my N scale trains. One was completely full of Atlas and Kato engines stored in the vertical position. Most were UP along with BNSF diesels. 90% of my engine fleet gone. Full set of Kato E8s, AC4400s, C44-9s, GP9s, GP39s, C30-7s, and a couple C36-7s I made from shells. LL GP18s, GP20s, Con Cor Gas Turbine, Big Boy and Challenger, GP 40s for DRGW and WP, and Intermountain tunnel motors for UP and DRGW are just some of the units taken.

The other box contained 192 Micro Trains cars, mostly released in the 1990s.  Whoever did it also snagged a number of fishing rod blanks and my rod building supplies, and my fly tying supply crate including tools and materials. They went through boxes from the hall closet on the main floor, but left 2 other boxes of trains on the dining room table, but took a LL SW7 that was set up on a UniTrack loop on the table. They also took a small 1200 sized Weber grill, silverware, and electric yard tools - trimmer, hedger, and extension cords.

Sheriff's department will be no help. Police report already filed and case declared closed for no leads.

This theft was in the last few weeks, and with Timonium this weekend I immediately wondered if anything might have shown up on tables there. Given how carefully the thief got in, they clearly avoided noise and seemed to select items they could quickly sell or pawn or trade. Lots of cars were left untouched.  No suspects.

They did try to take 2 ONETrak modules from my storage closet under the stairs, but left those on the ground in the back yard.

I'm still in shock.  If anyone has seen a large collection like this being sold or a train show recently in the DC/NOVA area I would appreciate a heads up.

[chuck geiger]

Facebook Marketplace checkedin in your area: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/103795126325698/search?query=n%20scale%20trains%20lot

[mu26aeh]

Be sure to check Craigslist too.  While a little out of area, I'll advise our staff to be on alert for someone trying to sell.  We don't buy collections but people often ask for suggestions

[signalmaintainer]

And check N Scale Yard Sale at IO Groups.

Sorry that your privacy and property have been violated.

[CBQ Fan]

Seems very specific and targeted.  Someone who new what they were looking for.  Model trains and pawnshop doesn’t seem like a way to maximize a quick sale for maximum gain.

[Spruslayer]

That brings up a good point, unless the entire collection was found for sale in the box you had it stored in,would you be able to identify your property randomly laid out at a train show or any other online market place? Due to the high price of some locos and rolling stock I would advocate for manufacturers to start serializing their products for any thing over $100 in value. I know this would increase the cost but with some loco,s going north of $400 I could be helpful in such situations

[TravelingCarpenter]

 Sorry to hear about the sticky finger issue. Human beings can be severe jerks! I hope there is some sort of resolution to all of this.

TC

[basementcalling]

That brings up a good point, unless the entire collection was found for sale in the box you had it stored in,would you be able to identify your property randomly laid out at a train show or any other online market place? Due to the high price of some locos and rolling stock I would advocate for manufacturers to start serializing their products for any thing over $100 in value. I know this would increase the cost but with some loco,s going north of $400 I could be helpful in such situations

Some are marked with my initials PKP scratched into the bottom of the fuel tanks, but not all. But probably pretty easy to hide that mark. None are DCC however.

[eja]

I can relate to your pain concerning you loss and share my disappointment regarding how little law enforcement agencies do, or chose to do in these circumstances.

I lost a very good violin in a theft from my home. The cops sent the youngest police officer I have ever seen to "investigate".  She took a report that I am sure was filed as soon as he was back at the precinct, and I am likewise sure that no further action was ever take.

A television was also take during the robbery along with many other item. I am still very upset with what happened and how it was handled.  A television is easily replaced at many stores, frequently at less cost or with a better product at the same cost.

Can't do that with 200 year old musical instrument ... 

[basementcalling]

I can relate to your pain concerning you loss and share my disappointment regarding how little law enforcement agencies do, or chose to do in these circumstances.

I lost a very good violin in a theft from my home. The cops sent the youngest police officer I have ever seen to "investigate".  She took a report that I am sure was filed as soon as he was back at the precinct, and I am likewise sure that no further action was ever take.

A television was also take during the robbery along with many other item. I am still very upset with what happened and how it was handled.  A television is easily replaced at many stores, frequently at less cost or with a better product at the same cost.

Can't do that with 200 year old musical instrument ...

At least I got the veteran deputy. The rookie he said was coming to take the report got diverted to a domestic disturbance call. He seemed happy he didn't get that one.

I got a little sick calculating what the probable value of the stolen items were. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of all of them, so we will see what insurance says.

[brokemoto]

Sorry that this happened to you.  I am heading to Timonium to-day with girlfriend.  We will look out for it.  I am not too good on modern prototypes, but I will look all the same.  From your description, it appears that the crooks knew what they were doing.

[Maletrain]

Model trains and fly tying are not "best sellers" in brick-and-mortar businesses, whether legal or illegal.

So, I am wondering if this thief is actually interested in these things for him (her?) self, or maybe thinking of selling them on the Internet.  If the latter, it still seems that the person has some familiarity with those hobbies and what of them sells well on eBay.

One of the things that always bothered me about law enforcement keeping owners out of their own damaged property "for their own safety" is that those officials never seem to worry about the safety of the thieves that they should know will be going in there.     My attitude is to just be careful while disobeying the officials, and get my important stuff out of the unprotected location ASAP.  Of course, I have to look carefully at the actual situation to decide if what I want to retrieve is worth it, considering the actual amount of risk of injury or death to get it out.

[CBQ Fan]

As described this is what I would call a surgical theft. Considering most crime is this result of drug use, and drug addicts aren’t known for rational well thought out crimes that take care and precision. They smash and grab and leave a trail of damage and chaos. The number of people who would know you have these trains, the value of your collection and be motivated to steal it is so statically rare to be random it is completely implausible. Add in then finding a quick easy and untraceable outlet that pays cash it is even more so. This is someone who knows you and knows model railroading. I would not be surprised if your insurance company has their fraud department investigate your claim. So be prepared for that. 

[Scottl]

One of the things that always bothered me about law enforcement keeping owners out of their own damaged property "for their own safety" is that those officials never seem to worry about the safety of the thieves that they should know will be going in there.     My attitude is to just be careful while disobeying the officials, and get my important stuff out of the unprotected location ASAP.  Of course, I have to look carefully at the actual situation to decide if what I want to retrieve is worth it, considering the actual amount of risk of injury or death to get it out.

I'm really sorry about the theft.  Things like this are a violation that often have lasting effects.

I was thinking about insurance when I first read this post.  My niece, who had a major house flood from an upstairs leak and has been out of her house for over 12 months while the claim settled and restoration commenced was told to visit the house every 72 hours as per insurance requirements and to maintain heat, water, etc. (in Canada, at least).  They were able to visit initially and remove personal items, even though there were many structural and electrical hazards present at the time.  If you were told you can't go in by law enforcement, I'm not sure that trumps insurance requirements. I'm not even sure law enforcement can actually tell you that, especially when the risk may be subjective (and they are not qualified).  Again may be totally different in US.

Regardless, hopefully you get a lead for recovery or coverage to replace the stolen items.

[Kentuckian]

I am so sorry this happened to you. Any of our stuff is personal to us, but especially our train collections. Models that we have spent time on are intensely personal.

@CBQ Fan said that this is someone who knows you and model railroading, and I agree. I hate to bring it up, but are you a member of any local clubs? If so, you might want to begin there.