Since I was able to recover the Whitcomb, keep an eye out for these models

[Iain]

Several years ago, I had a tackle box get lifted out of the back
of my truck containing most of the rolling stock and all the
locomotives I owned at the time.  Recently, I was able to recover
one of those locomotives, which has raised hope of being able to
recover at least some of my other stuff.  As a lot of my models had
been weathered/detailed/modified in various, distinctive ways, they
should be easy to spot.

Atlas GP38, original Norfolk Southern:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/The_ORIGINAL_NS.jpg
Modifications include addition of grab iron on engineer's side:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/N_S_GP38_in_progress.jpg
Slightly cut down fuel tank:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/Modified_GP38.jpg

Atlas VO1000, painted for my freelance road, Pholl Gual:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/Pholl_Gual_No1.jpg

Pholl Gual crane:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/Pholl_Gual_crane.jpg

Custom weathered covered hopper:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/CR_Patch_Job.jpg

Pair of twin bay hoppers:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/mvc-002s.jpg

Cotton Belt box car:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/Verne_Niner_Boxcar.jpg

Trix FM switcher, repowered with LL SW1200 mechanism:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/mvc-019s.jpg
Featuring custom pickups:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/mvc-016s.jpg
Modified LL mechanism:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/mvc-013s.jpg

Boondoggle 'n Offschedule sharks:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/Sharks.jpg

Atlas VO1000, kitbashed to DS4-4-1000:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/DS4-4-1000.png
Including MU hoses:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/DS_-4-1000_Cab.jpg
Photographed on NRMRC layout by Brian Sadler:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/Railroad_09_hf.jpg

Atlas Trainmaster:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/MVC-003F2.JPG
Running on the NRMRC layout:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/trainshowNewbern07_037.jpg

ER Sharks, AB set, some added detail:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/000041.jpg
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/000011.jpg
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/1_00003.jpg

Scratchbuilt narrow gauge flat car:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/IMG_10722.JPG
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/IMG_1075.JPG
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/000042.jpg

While this is not an exhaustive list, this list includes models that should be
easily recognizable.  If you happen to see anything listed here, please
contact me off-list.

Losing these models is the reason I did not participate in the hobby for several
years; I was too discouraged to do so.

[nkalanaga]

Good luck!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

How did you recover the whitcom?

[Iain]

I saw it at a local train show.  Considering that there are probably only two models of that locomotive in existence (at least in N scale) and randgust has the other, it's fairly distinctive.

[peteski]

I saw it at a local train show.  Considering that there are probably only two models of that locomotive in existence (at least in N scale) and randgust has the other, it's fairly distinctive.

Have you been able to trace back the whereabouts of the model you found at the train show?  I assume that you had to buy it (again). 

[Iain]

Yes, I had to buy it back.  The guy said he bought it at the New Bern show a few years ago.  Beyond that, I've not been able to trace it.

[randgust]

John, that's interesting because the higher centercab Whitcomb is probably the most trackable one of the group to catch somebody with.  Did the seller even know what it was?   Sounds like your batch was lifted by somebody that sold it to a dealer that ended up at a show.

I've had second owners come back to me before wondering what the 'thing' was and if they are still made.   They are.  But I never heard or saw anything about this one.   

There's more out there than you might think, but the raised centercabs are a distinct minority of the kits.   Only thing rarer are the Italian cabs.

"Recent" kits in the last two years are equipped with etched steps and cast metal body weights as standard.   

I felt sorry for the guy that was trying to sell a 70-tonner kit on Ebay and was missing about half the parts.   Coulda helped on that one.