Do You Worry About Your Train Stuff Being Stolen?

K.C.,

    I have 6 gun dogs here in my home, one of them is a Weimar, doubt my train collection or any of my other personal property, is in very much danger of being stolen.

I also have a 1st rate security system on my properties, that I can view from my PC any where in the world.  Always protect your family with modern technology if you can afford too.

PCRR/Dave

NO !

Rick O,

  Got to admit, you have the ultimate home protection method!

PCRR/Dave

Dogs are good, guns are better.  Got both.

Frank,

   The only way that could happen, with the uncaged Weimar dogs, is if the burglars have made friends with the Weimar dogs, there for, it is somebody the owner knows and mistakenly has trusted in his home, that committed the crime.

I do have the modern technology also, as a secondary back up to my dogs.

Bob,

   As Charlton Heston once said, the man who lives without his 2nd Amendment protection, is a serious fool.

PCRR/Dave

Same here!

Ditto

I too have security cameras and photos of most of my trains. I also have ADT 24 hour security alarms. Insurance is a good thing to have I just am not sure how easy it would be to replace some items. My basement windows have 1/2 x 4 inch bars across them. But if they want to get in they will one way or another. Before we installed ADT my house was broken into the only thing they didn't take was my train collection.

Insurance, Security System (check with ADT on phone control), and a various assortment of weapons systems.

Guns only work if your home to use them.

Most break- ins occur when no ones home......they "might" get in... but they won't get out....

I have insurance...I'll have the fun of buying them all over again. I have a Weimaraner as well...nice...big and loud... 

Nope. I dont have any visions of marauding toy collectors having x-ray vision in order to see my stash. Other worries? Sure but they don't involve my toys. 

There was a break-in recently in our area.  They shot the dog.  It didn't die, but it was out of commission.  If anyone gets into my house, uninvited, one of us is going out on a stretcher, covered with a sheet.  

I had no idea of exactly what I had until this past September. I have it all insured through TCA. My children matched boxes with what I had on my shelves. When all was completed a total of 37 prewar Std Gauge & O-Gauge sets. I'm still working to finish the 5 remaining sets. Why is it that the last few cars are the hardest to find?

Am I worried about someone taking it? I can honestly answer, No! My trains have brought me inner peace, however, they are only material things. At the stage of life I'm in now, I'm waiting for what's on the other side.

No, for the following reasons: Security system, dog who wants to be introduced first or else (with a keen sense of hearing and smell) and insurance.

No, and I work at a hobby store that is burglarized at least twice a year for RC stuff and the owner always says "How come they never steal trains?, Please steal some trains!!!"

They'll be attacked by an ankle bitter with attitude...

HotWater, are those tow teddy monsters gonna stop a burglar?

I don't worry about it.

If I'm not home, I have alert neighbors to watch my place and I also have adequate insurance, plus a decent alarm system.

If I am home, I have a pretty decent assortment of 9mm, .45, 357, 5.56, etc. "stuff" on hand to send a proper message to an intruder.

...Almost forgot...another pooch will also be joining my "alarm and protection team" in the near future; at least that is the plan.

I used to worry about people that worry about this, but now I take a pill for that...

I must say, this thought has been on my mind a lot lately, even before the recent theft in WV.

I document everything with photos, e-mails (paypal receipts, delivery confirmations) electronic and paper receipts, and other stuff.  Most important, I keep this stuff somewhere not near the trains in a fire proof box.

Insurance is nice, but like others, I have stuff I'd never be able to replace.

The biggest advantage in avoiding theft is to not advertise to anyone you even have trains, especially location and what's in the collection.  No one knows about my hobby amoungst my neighbors or friends.  I'm not paranoid, just works best this way. I like the stuff I have and plan on keeping it.

Another thing-online security or lack there of is not in your favor.  Thiefs have advanced.  You're wife posting on Facebook that you're on vacation in Mexico just told the whole world you aren't at home.  Get the point?

Posting personal information online-location and stuff can be used to find you.  I shake my head each time I see people doing this. 

Don't be a victim.  Last summer, I did a Craig's List deal.  Met the buyer in a parking lot because I didn't want him to know where I lived.  Unknown to me, his buddy followed me home (found out later from the police).  He showed up at my house at 0200 in the morning.  Woke up to my dog growling.  Let's just say they never came back-an encounter with a 2X4 out of nowhere in a dark garage will have that effect. 

Security system, dogs, and guns are about the best you can do to prevent the unthinkable.  Sometimes, you have to defend yourself/property.  Hope that never happens to any of you here.

Be careful out there.

these are all good ideas, just remember that most break ins occur because the burgler has a plan and home owners don't. So these are good plans!!!

No.

Nope! No dogs, no guns, no insurance, no worries. If they can carry it, they can have it, and good luck with that!

I have an alarm system and am very selective about who comes to my layout as well as the other very nice layouts within 20 minutes of mine.

Mikey

Nope, and nobody has gotten down to level 5 anyways...

What is somebody going to do with them?

They will never be able to sell the stuff with out getting caught.

All you macho posturing geezers better hope you come up against amateurs and not genuinely bad guys.  The only ones of you who would stand half a chance in such a circumstance are either cops, former cops, or those ex-military who have actually come under fire, so be careful!  Better to lay low and dial 911 than be confrontational, no matter how macho you think you are.  And I'm pretty sure any pros won't be there for toy trains, much more likely cash, jewelry, guns and electronics.

Pete

Not really. I live on a dead-end lane in a very low-crime area. Few people know where I live or what I have, and a thief would have to move the trains out of state to dispose of them, since there's relatively little market for trains around here. There have not been any major train thefts in this state that I am aware of. 

And yes, I am armed and have serious, professional training in dealing with multiple armed opponents. 

No. 

In my area break ins have been on the rise, the police say it's because of the influx of gas people working the new gas drilling wells, it seems most of the crime is happening during the daylight hours, people not being home, they really don't want to run into an armed home owner! That being said, we have invested in good locks, and are home most of the time, both retired now, so we have a high level of activity around the house. There are only two items that would be irreplaceable to me, my 1956 Lionel Trainmaster set  from my Dad and Grandparents, and a Tales of Wells Fargo set from my Grandparents, Sentimental value, anything else I own is just stuff, all replaceable and refuse to live in fear. The Kruger museum is just 15 min. down the road, but everyone knew that stuff was there, only a few people know what I own... Very few....  sad this subject must even be discussed, but such is the way of the world... And be very aware, mentioned above, if you go on Facebook or any other site and advertise you wont be home, shame on you!

Uncle Al

Well first of all I don't post any pics of my trains for the whole world to see.  If you do get in my house you have Ralph to deal with.

All you guys with dogs just remember no dog can resist a nice juicy steak!

I am coming to your house to run trains when the Aliens attack...

Not really.  The last break in was done by a family friend (druggie) who stole my son's keys.  The police caught him in the house and he was only interested in cash or stuff that could become cash easily.  The attack cats were useless.  I am amazed by the number of folks who have guns.  Living in NJ, the mere mention of the word gun causes trouble.  I do have to echo the sentiments of someone above, lay low, dial 911.  If you do have a loaded weapon in arms reach then you are probably more of a danger to yourself or your guests.   Most of us don't live in Bed Sty or Watts so a break in while you are home is not high on the probability list.  The only folks on this forum that might shoot straight during an encounter like this are going to be current or former law enforcement.

Redundant alarm systems, video surveillance, a neighborhood watch group up here and we are heavily armed. Anyone taking the chance to rob this house of trains or other items, would probably be caught, but they take a big risk of being killed. 

Alarm system when I am out, 357 Magnum when I am in.

Sir, with all due respect, your logic is highly flawed.  If there is an intruder in my home, I have a duty to protect my family (I could care less about stuff at that point) and will do so until the bitter end.  I'll call the cops when it's time to clean up the mess and write out the paperwork.

No, the train room is on the far end of the attic and I seriously doubt that a burglar would go to an attic to look for anything...much less toy trains.