[CPProt.net] UK: Missing trains worth £50,000

Fri Mar 18 06:24:38 CET 2005

Missing trains worth £50,000 

Mar 17 2005

BLAIRGOWRIE’S Great Train Robbers were on the run this week after one of the
UK’s finest model railway collections went missing from the Art Enterprises
gift shop in Keathbank Mill, Balmoral Road.

The collection of model trains, worth £50,000, is the property of
Blairgowrie-based businessman Peter Stewart-Blacker (45). Mr Stewart-Blacker
inherited the collection from his late father, Patrick.

More than 22 handcrafted locomotives were taken during the raid, which
Tayside Police believe took place over a two-day period.

Mr Stewart-Blacker said: “This was one of the best railway displays around.

“My father was a real train enthusiast and fanatical model maker.

“This was the last project he did and they have, as you could imagine, huge
sentimental value to me.

“At some stage, possibly over two days, the models have been stolen.

“I would suggest that possibly somebody knew what they were looking for, but
it is hard to say.”

Mr Stewart-Blacker was in the process of trying to find a new home for the
collection and the model trains had been carefully wrapped and packed in
cardboard boxes.

He added: “I’m convinced it was a night raid.

“We still haven’t found where they broke in.

“It is a very large building, but the burglar alarm looks as though it has
been tampered with.

“The boxes were extremely heavy, so it looks like they took their time – I
was horrified to learn about it.”

Police believe the theft took place some time between the end of January and
8am on Friday.

The collection includes 16 replica green locomotives, 60 green coal wagons,
60 cream and brown goods wagons, 11 Cornish Riviera carriages, 11 Royal Mail
carriages and two other sets of 11 carriages.

The 1.42 scale models are replicas of the Great Western Railway trains.

A spokesman for Tayside Police has urged anyone with any information to
contact them immediately on 01738-621 141.

http://icperthshire.icnetwork.co.uk/ 