Stolen trains--Wheeling WV Kruger Street Toy and Train

Sad to hear.  I enjoyed my visit to this museum tremendously a few years ago and would love to go back.  This place is like a Marx History Museum.  While there we took a guided tour which was well worth it.  I do hope they catch the thieves!

That is just sad.  That museum is a gem, and it looks as if it was done by someone in the hobby, too.

Someone in the hobby? I sure hope not. Would someone be so stupid as to steal toys with the risk of going to prison?  I would guess that this terrible criminal is going to try and fence the stolen items to a private collector or a request was put in for the goods. If a private collector was behind this, it doesn't say much for him. I hope that the perpetrator that stole these valuable trains is caught and sent to prison where he belongs.

I live less than 15 min. from there, it is a shame, hope the rascals get caught...

 

Uncle Al 

 

 

I'm reading this comment as "the museum is a gem" meaning that someone in the hobby designed the museum?

 

Always the optimist! 

they wont be able to sell any of their "haul" as the Train community has eyes and ears

nation, if not world, wide.

 

What should we be on the look out for? Marx has been mentioned.......does anyone know for sure?

 

Peter

Yep these guys are toast, only a matter of time. All these items are traceable.

There was a hobby shop here that had a container broken into in the parking lot. All new O27 trains sets stolen, kids sets... sure enough they turned up at a local resale shop. Product was siezed and the people were arrested.

 

some people are just so dumb

saw a commentary on a TV news magazine about flea markets. when you go up and down the isles, most of the items that are new in packages are stolen.

LOL you guys are being WAY-WAY nieve.There are low lives in the world who will keep their mouths shut if they can make a buy for a fraction of the retail cost.Welcome to modern day society.Nick

This is a real shame.  I've been to that museum, and it is a wonderful place.

 

Andy

The museum is one of my favorite places. We attend the Marx Toy Convention there every year. They have a great collection of all brands of tinplate trains and toys that us baby boomers grew up with. Hopefully these thieves will be caught!

How about one of you guys that live near by set something up and we will take up a collection to help out?I would be in.Nick

A list of the stolen items would certainly be helpful (and certainly should be available), and then it's a matter of the collecting community--Marx collectors in particular--keeping their eyes open. Surely those who frequent eBay, Craigslist, and other such sites would benefit by knowing just what they are on the lookout for. And if there are Marx groups on social media (Facebook, etc.), that is an excellent way to spread the word. I know that for a fact by virtue of my involvement with rescued dogs and cats. The reach is astounding, and very fast. Just spread the word as rapidly as possible.

I saw that on the local news this morning. hope the scum get caught fast.

I'm trying to understand why the owner doesn't want to issue a list or let the news take pictures of the broken displays, etc. It would be a lot easier to say "look out for this mint Marx set" or "that rare car" than ïf somebody shows up wanting to sell a lot of unusual Marx stuff, wonder why."

I thought that was odd too.

That stinks. I hope the culprit is caught and prosecuted.

-Greg

That is odd. If they want the train collector community to be on the look out, need to know what to look out for.

I am working at getting a written list, but here are pictures of the cases that were vandalized. As usual, Marx get's no respect. They took most all the trains EXCEPT the Marx.

 

Steve

 

 

That was quick, see the attached PDF file.

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

Steve,

 

Well at least they didn't take the Marx. They have some very rare and valuable pieces there. Still no respect...LOL. 

 

that's quite a haul. that took them some time and they didn't just load a trunk of a car up. 

I am surprised that they were able to remove that much product. No alarm system ?

Wow! - that is quite a list.  How the heck did they do that?  I mean, packing it all and loading it.  That's a lot of work.  What can they do with it now?  Sell it slowly on eBay?  It kind of sounds like some diabolical rich guy paid some thieves to steal it for him.  Someone with no heart.  What a shame.

I find this theft appalling.  But, in today's times, given the enormous, and growing criminal element we all face, the break-in and theft are not unexpected.  The little museum was a great tribute to Marx toys and to early trains.  It had security, but probably not start of the art, and probably easily avoided or bypassed.  The place is a Mom and Pop operation, and operated, it seemed on a shoestring.  i had only been there once of twice, but I really enjoyed myself while I was there.  The Lady that gave me the tour was very knowledgeable and took her time explaining each item, and how most of them were acquired.  

 

Hopefully, the actor or actors who perpetrated this break-in and theft will try to sell this stuff on the open market, and will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest.  But, they will probably get away with it, and we will all lose something of our past once again to the dregs of society.  Thanks for not passing judgement on my rant.

 

Bob Severin

Well theyre not worth anything without the boxes!!!

I do not see your thoughts as a rant, Bob; you're just "keepin' it real," as far as I am concerned. I have become convinced there is an element in our society that feels if something is shiny, it is supposed to be theirs. And that if an item appears to have value for somebody, it has to be taken away to satisfy their need to have their grubby triumph over those of us who felt paying attention and learning in school, behaving our whole lives, and getting a job and reporting everyday to it have been worth it.

I might be watching to many Crime Shows on TV….but …
Perhaps it’s an inside job?  (Insurance Claim)
Can anyone vouch for the owner of the Museum?

K.C.

Thugs!  I hope they get caught asap.  Keeping my eyes peeled.  

WHEELING WHERE?????

West Virginia

Didn't you read the title of this whole thread?

This is the second big train theft in the past 10 months . Last year a hobby store was ripped off of all new boxed trains and I do not know if they were ever recovered. I hope that there is a video of this.  I think you would only steal trains like these if you want them, or you know someone who does! I lost an Ives 3252 taken from my table at a TCA show. And last year at York my friend who was set up in the Red hall had an expenses AF car walk away. So you just never know anymore! 

There! The list is what we all needed, in case it does show up on eBay.

 

Somebody has no respect for Marx! (In this case, that's a good thing.) 

In addition to the obvious resale locations such as eBay and Craig's List, auction houses and big resellers should also be notified.  The Train Station, Trainz/Dash, AmbroseBauer, Stout, ChooChoo, etc come to mind...  Just sayin'

 

Best,

Dave

This is sad for the train community, this Museum is an asset to the hobby and our local business community. I am personal friends with the owners and feel sad for them. I have the list of items taken but will not list it here till I get the ok from Mr. Miller. I will comment and say these criminals were dumb, they did not steal many Marx items. I own a Train Store in Wheeling and I have a security system and cameras and I still feel vulnerability.

Thanks and All my best to the Millers

Pat

Ok - I don't think they were dumb by not taking the Marx trains.  It is omission by choice.  They wanted Lionel items.   I'm not seeing an inside job, but a collector, some dirtbag in the mob or something, that  hired someone to do this.  Probably watched too much of that TV show on HBO or wants to be Frank Sinatra or something.  It wasn't stolen to be sold.  That doesn't make sense.