Can you Identify your trains?

Interesting observation. And, a good one.

I don't, but thats actually not a bad idea! I might do it over Thanksgiving break from school, like a small sticker with my initials on it or something.

Stickers and ink can be removed.  The only true way is engraving of some sort.

I have purchased trains that were marked on the inside with a previous owner's information.

IMHO, other than engraving in a visible spot, as MartyE wrote, there is not a 100% reliable way.

If you mark your trains in a hidden spot, wouldn't you need probable cause to be allowed to look for your markings?

 

By the way, from what I see in that other thread about "stolen trains", legally they weren't stolen. Morally is a whole other issue.

 

 

Hi I had one that was stolen from my basement a year ago during one of our open houses. The engine was returned.
This was an expensive engine and few were made. But through pictures that were taken that day we found out how took it. I have them a chance to return it.
Since then we have put a vide cameras in. There is no real way to mark your trains. Just keep eyes on them and trust the people around you to be honest.99.9% of the time people are.

I found this in a postwar 2016. I would think a phone number or address would work better engraved that is a direct link to ownership even years later.

Anyone know a Swamy?

 

Way back in 1986 or 1987 I bought an hp 15c scientific calculator in college. I engraved it with my social security number, which back then wasn't a bad idea. Also put it on a stereo receiver.

 

Now I wouldn't think of putting my SS number on anything. I would rather be out the price of the calculator than the amount of hassle that someone could cause me if they stole my identity.

 

I would think twice before putting any personal information on a train. I suppose TCA number might be a choice.

 

The markings could also affect resale value.

I used to mark mine, used the soldering iron (not my best idea, btw) to clear the paint under the pilot in the shape of a celtic cross. It had mixed results, but I might try a new way soon. I guess it would help if I had anything that was worth something, but I have mostly under the table, low end trains that nobody would want.

A few years ago, one of the Western Chapters of TCA was selling marking pens with built in UV light.  The markings were only visible under that light.  Maybe it's time for them to resurrect that project and offer them again.

It would be nice if the manufacturers would place serial numbers on the high-end locomotives.  How much could it really add to the cost?

 

Andy

All my locomotives have custom passive RFID tags glued in them. 

 

Well, the way I was taught when I was 5... If you took something of someones without their permission, it was stealing.  As convoluted as that other thread is, the one thing I did not see was the Owner giving anyone permission to sell, hock or pawn trains.

 

Stealing is Stealing... there is no middle ground.

 

Ron

 

I have modified all the rolling stock I have, so ID'ing them would be pretty easy. All have been re-painted, decalled and weathered. The ET&WNC would be a very easy road name to spot here in the Pacific Northwest as I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in this part of the country doing any modeling for that road name n On30!

My locos, however, would be another story. I've modified them all to some degree but haven't gotten to weathering them like I have been meaning to. All have crews in the cabs, though and a couple of have been re-numbered, so I doubt I'd have an issue.

But none would look particularly valuable to the average thief, I'd think...

 

quote:

Well, the way I was taught when I was 5...

 

Did you read what you quoted?

There is often a gap between what is right and what is the law.

 

Enough said.

Probably not a bad idea to put some kind of marking on your trains.

My dad preferred to put name and Drivers License number on his tools.

 

I agree with Illinoiscentral, I would rather loose the trains than loose my social security number to the wrong person/group.

Two of the very large companies I have/do work for have lost my data a total of four times.  Luckily my identity was not one that ended up being compromised.

 

But what about people who store their train inventory on some online data service?  It seems to be no problem for hackers (or an inside person) to access data that has access to the internet. 

Is anybody concerned that your train inventory might get hacked along with your address?  How convenient would that be.

 

To answer the subject title question,,,,,,yes. All my locomotives and rolling stock is weathered and/or modified.

Personally for the trains I have, insurance is what I rely on for any missing trains. My policy covers my trains at a level I am presently comfortable with. If needed, coverage can always be increased in the future. I don't see where marking up my trains with some unique, non-removable ID would currently serve me any better than my insurance policy?

 

All of my trains are new within the last 4-5 years, so I really don't have anything that can't be easily replaced with the same or a very similar item. I don't expect my trains to increase in value, but I am pretty sure that whatever value they do have would be decreased if I started marking them up with unique ID's. 

 

I realize some of you have trains or even entire collections of trains that are very rare and may not be replaceable. These would definitely be more difficult to deal with as a loss, but would you even consider marking them up with some engraving or other non-removable labeling of some sort?

 

Then, as C W Burfle stated above, there is the 'gap between what's right and the law' where we may have difficulty with insurance and replacement costs or recovering our trains by any means. Unique situations are very difficult at best and I think there are just some things we can never be completely prepared for.

 

Great topic!

Of all the trains I have, the ones I would want to get back the most if they were stolen would be my original trains from my childhood. So, if something was available to mark them (w/o using my SS number) I would do that. These are the ones I most want to pass on to my grandson.

I would not want to lose any of my trains but the ones that my dad bought have a high sentemental value.My shop is alarmed to the fire and police and visits are by invitation only.

Mikey

Interesting topic. I keep my trains on the layout - and each one has been painted or significantly modified in some way that I'd certainly recognize them. But that said, they're not valuable in any monetary sense. I still get a kick out of the visitor who exclaims how valuable Lionel trains must be and reminisces about how they could retire if they'd only kept their set...  

Along this topic, I do wonder about people who'll let just anyone into their layout room. Nobody ever comes into mine that I don't know already.

Just sayin'...

I do take my trains to public displays with a club operation.  While everything is always supervised by a club member, no one can watch everything all the time.  Also it can be a challenge just if two members bring the same piece of equipment. I really like the passive rfid chip idea, although for honest folks a sticker with a name on the bottom should be enough. 

oh yeah, I can spot them from across the room... they are the trains with chocolate finger prints on them, animals or cars inside the box cars, or the clear windows poked in and are inside the car. ... its a clear give away.

 

 

whoe to those who steal my trains....

A friend wrote a note and stuck it inside somewhere .

If you steal this from me you will die a horrible death very soon after reading this.

 

I just put my enitials on the inside somewhere under the roof/ cab/ bottom out odf sight.

If you have MTH, consult a tech about having him/her insert that data into the board.

And I bet you love every minute of it.

I haven't yet noticed the chocolate finger prints, but I do find a lot of stuff like animals, people, cars, etc. like you say, in the box cars. Oh, and don't forget to check under the removable coal loads in the coal cars. Also, many times the engines have a few extra crew members hitching a ride on the catwalks. I get a real charge out of finding these things after my grandson leaves.

 

 

Now that is a good solution to the ID marking. Would be nice if we as the end users could add our own information in there, but I guess if they were stolen than anyone else could just over write our information. This does seem like a good start to a permanent ID that could be traced if need be.