Stolen CNJ 1000 & CNJ RSD-4

What?? Somebody you let in or was there a breakin

Nope. Not a break in!

Ah geez. I'll keep my eyes open. Sorry buddy.

Weasels. 

Bill, you're much nicer than me. If I said what I was thinking, this thread would be killed. Basically a person born outside of wedlock. I just setup an eBay search for these two items. If they pop up, I'll be sure to let you know. Depends upon just how stupid this cretin is. Even odds he kept them to run on his own layout or sold them on Craig's List or a tabletop train show.

The boxcab is going to be tough to spot. It does remind me, we DO need to mark our engines. A suggestion, use a metallic (silver or gold) Sharpie marker. Pull the shell and make a discreet mark. Maybe a dot, a line or an "X". Something that could easily be dismissed as a manufacturer's mark. Take a picture and save it. This could just be what you need to prove ownership if it is ever recovered by the police.

Watch Makers would scratch information inside watch cases when they worked on them. I had my Grandfather's watch rebuilt last year. The man that rebuilt it recognized his mark, and was able to tell me the last time he had worked on that watch. I had no idea that he had ever seen it when I took it to him.

@Gilly@N&W posted:

I just setup an eBay search for these two items. If they pop up, I'll be sure to let you know. Depends upon just how stupid this cretin is.

Gilly, I emailed Steve privately and basically said the same thing about watching out for these items...and seeing how stupid-or desperate-this thief is.

I’ll keep my eyes open too Steve.  I volunteer to visit the dirtbag if you find out who it is   

Unbelievable. I’ll keep my eyes open too. 

I am guessing you live in the NYC/NJ area, if they make it south I will let you know.

Geez Steve, I can’t believe an invited guest would have the audacity to walk out of your home with something like that.  That’s just so contrary to what you expect to find in this hobby.  I hope you find out who’s behind it and get your stuff back.  

You didn't notice it for 8 months??????

What a **** shame. Sharing our gifts and talents with friends with like interests is one of the features I most enjoy in this hobby. That sure would sour most of us from hosting a layout tour. I'm so sorry this happened. I'm also sorry that the person who stole from you does not have much in the way of morals, apparently.

That takes a lot of b@ll$ to 'lift' something like that, especially off a home layout. They had to be pretty adept at sneaking those out of your home.

Steve, notice anyone making a hasty departure from your house during a run session?

   Thanks for keeping an eye out guys even if it's a slim chance.  There is a lot of stuff on and off the layout so I'm embarrassed to say I can't remember where everything was when guests leave.  I still might not have noticed until I was setting all the CNJ out for some new guests.  I'll try not to let it affect my faith in humanity but I'm definitely taking inventory before and after from now on. 

Did you have any contractor's or service people in the house during this time?  It may not have been an actual guest.  Check any train shops within a 25 mile radius.  That's where I found trains that were stolen from me by an employee of a contractor doing work on the house.  If you do find them, don't confront the store owner themselves.  Get the local (to you) police involved.

John

Steve’s layout needs a visit from OGR. One of the best that I’ve been to. 

It may not have been a train guest, I had a family member steal from my layout twice and not even a during an open house for my trains but during a family gathering and barbeque. 

so you Never know who it may have been.

Dave

@corsair29 posted:

   Thanks for keeping an eye out guys even if it's a slim chance.  There is a lot of stuff on and off the layout so I'm embarrassed to say I can't remember where everything was when guests leave.  I still might not have noticed until I was setting all the CNJ out for some new guests.  I'll try not to let it affect my faith in humanity but I'm definitely taking inventory before and after from now on. 

And adding a video surveillance system in and around your train room would greatly help as well!

Take everyones car license or just don't invite anyone you do not know.

Corsair, Sorry to hear that happened to you. There is a possibility that they may be recovered, but if not, check your home owners insurance policy for theft. There may be a chance you can recoup your actual Financial loss or possible replacement.

but I am sure most of us agree that the loss of trust is never going to be recouped any time soon.  

@david1 posted:

It may not have been a train guest, I had a family member steal from my layout twice and not even a during an open house for my trains but during a family gathering and barbeque. 

so you Never know who it may have been.

Dave

You aren't alone. It took over 30years for me to know for sure what happened. They'd hoped I'd forgotten and it was gifted to their "kid", who began bragging all about. (I can't visit anymore, so it became "safe" they thought. ) 

1 of 6 made as a thank yous from Lionel, 0 sold, and yet you found another... at an affordable price .... Yep, that was my stolen inheritance I saw at the shop a few years ago, relatives name on the ticket .

I also like the  "Old Farmer's Stolen Pig" story; where he never mentions it's missing to anyone.

Next summer the neighbor asks the old farmer if he ever found his missing pig 🤔

Point is this person is a sad sacked idiot; and therefore, totally bound to tie their own noose eventually. Karma, Darwin, Ocham, Murphy... You just "know" they'll get to extract their "pound of loco" eventually, even if you don't get to. 

Painful to read about being betrayed by a visitor.  I hope it ends up being made right.

The items probably are covered by your homeowner's insurance, but after accounting for the deductible, a claim may not be worthwhile.  But it's worth investigating.

Wishing you the best with this situation.

That's amazing, I hope you track the character down.  Sadly, that's not that uncommon. 

We had a Greenbrier walk out of a club event, I was pretty astonished they could pull it off.  The great part was, there was a lot of video during the event, so we gathered all the video from visitors we could and identified the perp.  The locomotive was recovered, but he had already painted the tender, so that had to be restored.  There has to be a special place down below for people that would do something like that!

That's is just terrible news to hear! I can imagine we have all heard of the kind who has broken an unguarded train but for a mature adult to walk off with two locomotives is pushing the bar! Thankfully, the only complaint our club has had to say is of a young kid who forced a G scale ES44 to cold concrete grave. P.S. The kid's parents were found but did not pay for the damages caused. In other words, sorry to hear that this happened to you and I will keep an eye out as well. Now, if only we could put a camera and a GPS in our locos. 

Been there, had it done to me, with coins but not trains!

Bottom line... you really don't know who you can trust!

Another lesson in life...  Stay Well

I was at a train show where a vendor told me about a guy who slipped a engine under his coat while the vendor was busy, the perps only problem was some of the vendors friends were there and saw him. They followed the thief out to hic car, which they trashed and he paid a painful price also.

I'm so sorry to hear that! There is a special place in **** for people who do things like this.

I will keep an eye out on the interweb for them.

Your report (and other similar stories) prove the need for caution when sharing one's train empire with visitors, one of whom may have a case of SFS (Sticky Finger Syndrome). For about 15 years, Carol and I announced a Holiday Train Open House and invited 150+ of our family, friends, hobby friends, and neighbors. Never had a problem with theft; perhaps Carol's overloaded snacks/goodies table was a sufficient freebie and no one thought to grab a train as a  "memento" of the occasion!

Because of my career in radio and TV and PR, I'm comfortable in the media environment. Accordingly, I prepared a DRAFT news release and considered sending it to the local newspaper for consideration for publication during the holiday season. I also gathered digital pix of my L-shaped O-gauge layout for use at their discretion -- my way of sharing "the world's greatest hobby" with others.

Then I considered the downside of offering info about my trains in an open media environment. A published news story might trigger too many unwanted inquiries; I might be overwhelmed by curious folks who may want to "case the joint" for theft. That DRAFT is still in my PC, but now I'm wary of "going public." I now limit my media ventures to hobby publications and websites only -- to LCCA and the OGR Forum.

Further, I was recently asked to allow a photo gallery presentation about my home layout at a local photographer's website, but with horror stories like yours at the back of my mind, I declined.

Another FORUM-ite suggested a video surveillance camera.  A good idea, although it's a sad commentary on our times.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394
mottlerm@gmail.com  

You should really contact your local police department. They can rattle the cage of local pawnshops and second-hand dealers.  It might be a long-shot, but it has been known to work. I realize that this may have happened up to eight months ago, but you really don't have anything to lose by reporting it.  If it did pass through the hands of a pawnshop or second-hand dealer, they may have records identifying the person who sold these items to them and the person who bought them. Most municipalities have ordinances requiring these kinds of shops to keep records. 

First I would to say that I agree with the notion that Steve’s layout should be in a magazine. I have often wondered why no magazine has contacted him. 

I have been lucky enough to have been invited over several times and if it was someone who was invited over to see the layout I think that is lowest of the low. Steve is a gracious host and for someone to repay that hospitality by stealing from him boggles my mind. I have always felt that compared to muscle cars our trains for the most part are not that expensive. You want a boxcab go out and buy your own. What a #$&%#$?! 

Mike Mottler, I agree with what you said. I used to think that if I ever got my layout finished I would open it up to the public to promote the hobby or possibly for some charity but forget it. Too many people these days that would have bad intent. If I ever do complete the layout maybe I would open it if there was a TCA convention near by where only TCA members are coming over but not just a public viewing. Yes, I realize a TCA member could be criminal or someone could join the TCA to steal something but at least the folks running the convention would know who is going to who’s house on those convention bus trips. 

Good luck Steve. 

I can't stand thieves. I know it's probably expensive but consider putting in a camera system. 

It would have to be one heckava camera to go back 8 months.

@John H posted:

It would have to be one heckava camera to go back 8 months.

Yes it would but it would help if it ever happens again.

@Engineer-Joe: I could be wrong about it being an ES44 since I am terrible with diesel types since I am a steam fanatic, and that event happened about a year and a half ago. Sorry for any confusion.

@John H posted:

It would have to be one heckava camera to go back 8 months.

Good dvr camera system and cloud backup? No problem today, no kidding.

Im more inclined to think it made it's escape in a handbag than in a jacket. That or a dash outside instead of the bathroom.

Its sad to believe that a train enthusiast would stoop so low as to steal from a train layout  but apparently it happens.  I go to train events in the NJ/PA area and will join the list of people looking to spot these items. As a tip we should first know what state the crime was committed in.  This thief is a criminal who must be found and put in prison where he belongs.

Sorry to hear this Steve !

Takes a lot of B**** to do something like that . 

I'll keep my eyes open 

Alex

You may want to check out storage unit auctions, and all the local train/hobby shops in your area.  There is still a chance your trains may turn up.

Back in the 90s, I attended a storage unit auction where Lionel's Navy set, Santa Fe AA Freight set, Lionel Southern Pacific Loco & Tender, and a few HO things were all auctioned off as one lot.  I had the winning bid, but I knew I couldn't keep everything.  At the time I had 3 kids and a wife, so I figured I'd sell the AA and SP sets.  Then I'd have all my money back that I paid for the lot, and I'd keep the Navy set for free.  A friend from work told me he knew a dealer who was willing to buy the Santa Fe set for $300.  I agreed, so I sold it right away.  I guess I didn't sell the SP set fast enough, because my wife decided to take it to a few train shops to find out what they would be willing to pay while I was at work.  As it turned out, the very first shop she went to turned out to be the very place where they'd been stolen from.  The owner didn't tell her right away.  Instead, he told her it would take him a few minutes to test it out in the back.  What he did was check the serial number on the engine, verified it was the one that had been stolen from him, and called the cops.  As she was walking around, a detective arrived who pretended to be just another customer.  He started a casual conversation with her, to find out where she got the set.  She told him the truth.  At that time, he identified himself and told her the set had been reported stolen recently.  He told her she'd be arrested, if she couldn't provide evidence where she got the engine.  Of course, she called me at work right away.  I went home, gathered up the Navy set, the HO stuff, and the receipt and presented all of them to the police.  As it turned out, I got my money back minus $300 from the storage unit place.

You never know what people will do. In the early 70's I built my first big layout. We had a group of train guys that met about once a month at someones house to run trains. Kids were not invited normally. The next meeting was to be at my house and I got a call from a guy in our group that wanted to know if his 14 year old son could come with him as he was now interested to trains. I thought at the time that was a little strange as he never showed any interest before. Our house was on a hillside with the train room under the house with the entrance from a outside staircase. About ten friends showed up and we were running trains for a couple of hours when I noticed the 14 year old was not in the room. I slipped out to look for him. I didn't see him in the kitchen or living room. Then heard something from our bed room. I walked in and there he was with my wife's lingerie drawer open and a bunch of her stiff laying on the bed. I grabbed him and took him to his father, telling him what happened and to get out. He was never invited back. Like I said, you never know about people. Don

Steve,

Just kinda hope you might be a little like me and find these in a box in your layout room.

Ray

@Rayin"S" posted:

Steve,

Just kinda hope you might be a little like me and find these in a box in your layout room.

Ray

Yep. That'd be me too.

Unfortunately these were always on the layout or the display shelf.

A few years ago my place was broken into.Being my job was a 12 hours shift.Missing was my t.v. vcrdvd some cloths.Come to find out the thief took my stuff and sold them to my aunt.I know some thing right out of a three stooges.I hope you get your trains back.And take some of the advise here from the guys.

As the number of trains I owned grew and my layout expanded I began to worry about my trains when workmen came into the house  to install things or do some repair work.  Over the years each and every time they were here I always checked my displayed inventory for anything which might come up missing.  So far so good but my wife insists I am the world's greatest cynic and that I distrust everyone. Well, I can't be to cynical because I have never checked when friends or relatives visit and view the trains.  After reading the original post I have concluded I have a blind spot.  Oh my wife is really going to have a field day with me now.

Client story of a retired teacher and his former student:

Picture this, you are a caring person, you take in a 38 year old former student who is down on his luck.  You provide cross country transportation,  free room and board and loan him use of your car. 

One by one over a six month period of time he removes trains from boxes in storage and sells them to a pawn shop.

Your layout is finally to a point of completion so you go to pull out your trains.  Boxes are very light..............

Because he was a house guest receiving mail at the home no homeowners protection.

The outcome: a heavy loss on income taxes and five years in jail for the perp.

So much for being a nice guy.

@Tom Tee posted:

Client story of a retired teacher and his former student:

Picture this, you are a caring person, you take in a 38 year old former student who is down on his luck.  You provide cross country transportation,  free room and board and loan him use of your car. 

One by one over a six month period of time he removes trains from boxes in storage and sells them to a pawn shop.

Your layout is finally to a point of completion so you go to pull out your trains.  Boxes are very light..............

Because he was a house guest receiving mail at the home no homeowners protection.

The outcome: a $83,000 loss on income taxes and five years in jail for the perp.

So much for being a nice guy.

Respectfully, no good deed goes unpunished.

Steve

Steve, you beat me to it. We have that saying where I work. I noticed at my old plant any time the Maintenance Dept got recognized for doing something good a week or two later management punished us. Not exactly the same thing but similar. 

It says a lot about a person, if anyone has purchased a one way bus ticket out of town for them. 

Tom Tee, very surprised that your thief got that much jail time in this day and age!

Not only that but the perp called the victim from jail and asked for a place to stay when he was to be released!!

Surprised he wasn't permitted to stay there. Unfortunately Tom, you and I both know the fellow who was robbed and there is a LOT more to the story.

@rheil posted:

Surprised he wasn't permitted to stay there. Unfortunately Tom, you and I both know the fellow who was robbed and there is a LOT more to the story.

Can you fill us in on any of the details, or even the vagaries?

It's never happened to me. . . that I know of..! 

I had had a family dinner at the house and was running trains. I set it up to run by itself and left the area. So one "guest" poked his cane at a stopped Gang Car, that I had auto running between bumpers. The small plastic levers broke off. But I did not find out until the family left. The "guest" never said a thing to this day.

We have "thousand of dollars on wheels" rolling around on mostly open track.  It's like leaving your expensive sports car parked at a concealed lot with the doors unlocked and the key in the ignition. 

Too much for some.

Im not too astonished at your story, Corsair....rather I am sympathetic to you now mistrusting folks...out of your goodness of sharing a train session.

I also volunteer to visit the dirtbag...