Hot from MR.
“On the evening of January 18, 2005, unknown persons broke into the Märklin Museum in Göppingen, Germany, and stole more than 100 historic trains and other models from the museum’s collection. The stolen items, valued at more than $1 million, include O and no. 1 gauge trains and ship models produced prior to 1910.”
That is a real shame.
Wow, what a story. Guess they couldn’t afford the new models. So, they decide to still the old ones. Well, look at the good news, when their caught, they’ll have plenty of time to work on their layouts.[:D]
Hmmm bet they’ll show up on EBAY Germany soon…
I doubt it. Old Maerklin of museum quality was large scale and O. There might be some early HO and maybe even Z
You are talking about some one of a kind stuff here, including O scale Swiss Krokodils that at auction 20 years ago sold for $22,000, according to the 1982 Walthers catalog.
anyone selling on ebay would be instantly identified. The thieves might be that stupid in which case all we can hope is that they will be caught before the trains are damaged
This is more like the theft of rare art work and famous musical instruments – the thief dares not be too open about what they have. I do not know about old model trains but years ago famous stolen violins had a way of showing up in the hnads of a few reclusive collectors in Hong Kong. Shadowy guys who live in a world they control. They are above the law – they own the law.
Dave Nelson
At least they stole something WORTH STEALING.
Had I done this crime I could be cought while hugging the trains in my truck in front of the museum.
Doug, in Utah
one of the items stolen was the first Marklin Locomotive ever made ( 1891 )
FYI :
they offer a 200,000 euro reward = $ 260,000,= for the recovery of the goods,
I am going to a swapmeet this weekend, maybe keep my eyes open
Okay, who here doesn’t have an alibi for the 18th? :-))
I agree with Dave. Either you have to be a real nut who really loves this stuff to risk jail time, or you have to know a few willing to buy them off you. This stuff just can’t be made openly available.
~D
the culprits will never get enough time fit for the crime,
HOWEVER on a more positive note …
since they stole the items (removing them carefully), rather than destroying the collection / ransacking the building, they likely have no intention of committing pure vandalism - and that makes me think that the items will be found intact.
there must also be some train affectionatos among the legal powers that be, so I think ALL EYES will be on this one, they can run with the stuff, but now that they have it, there no where to hide these items…
like stealing the Mona Lisa
time will tell, and then TIME they’ll get
btw - I’m not so sure about Utah Doug - sounds like the hugging bandit has had some practice…[:D][^]
have a great day!!!
I ain’t here on the forum much lately - take care all
Hope they catch these guys this is the lowest of the low. I hope their buyers have deep pockets because the theives are going to have to sit on this stuff pretty much forever. heres hoping it’s not someone who did it just to vandilize or we’ve all lost some irriplaceable bits of history.
That is horrible and whoever done it are not right. I hope they find the stuff that got stolen, though.