[CPProt.net] UK: Detectives in Perthshire are investigating the theft of rare model trains estimated to be worth £50,000.

[MSN and CPProt list (Ton Cremers)]

Bid to track down train thieves 
Detectives in Perthshire are investigating the theft of rare model trains
estimated to be worth £50,000. 

The haul came from what is thought to be the largest collection of its kind
in the United Kingdom. 

The models, all hand-made in metal, had been on public display at Heathbank
Mill in Blairgowrie. 

At the time of the theft, they were stored in boxes. They had been put away
at the start of the year, but the crime was not noticed until last week. 

Among the haul are 16 green locomotives, 60 green coal wagons, 60 cream and
brown coloured goods wagons, 11 Royal Mail carriages and two other sets of
11 carriages. 


 Either someone has stolen it to order, or they have not realised what they
have taken 
Peter Stewart-Blacker  

About 10 of the electric trains, which have great sentimental value, are
more than 20ft long. 

The building closed as a heritage centre three years ago and is now being
turned into flats. 

The site on Balmoral Road was a jute mill and has a steam turbine dating
from 1862 driven by what is described as the largest water wheel in
Scotland. 

Owner Peter Stewart-Blacker followed in his father's footsteps as a wood
carver, making heraldic coats of arms for organisations such as regiments,
embassies and royal warrant holders. 

He said: "My father built the collection. It was his last project and it
took him 10 years before he died seven years ago. 

Collector's item 

"This was reputedly the largest O gauge model railway in Britain. I
inherited it. 

"I can maintain the trains and I have repaired the collection, but my father
was the model maker. He was very much a craftsman." 

Mr Stewart-Blacker went on: "The whole thing was built to go into the mill.
It's painful to have to remove what was left. It's a sorry sight now. 

"They are twice the size of normal model trains. To have a sizeable layout
would need a very large area. Either someone has stolen it to order, or they
have not realised what they have taken." 

He continued: "I think it would be worth virtually nothing on the open
market. It is a very specialist collection. 

"It would need to be sold at a specialist sale. It is very much a
collector's item." 




Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4347833.stm