Well the Stolen C&O 614 Made it back home.

I have to admit I am quite careful in sharing my info on my O gauge stuff for this reason.  Glad you got it back.   My You Tube channel is quite generic in providing info that could identify me.

Sad what this world has come to...............   Mark

I am very happy for you that you got the engine back, it is sad that this kind of element has invaded a hobby that is viewer friendly

Ray

HH3,

   Glad you got your train back, in the bigger picture however someone stole form your home, hope the police investigate this theft and finally catch the perp so he can be punished.  Nobody should come into your home and steal from you, be careful that this perp, who now knows your home does not return, it happens more than you might think.

PCRR/Dave

Kudos to you Harry for being happy with your trains return and not being tempted to seek revenge and reneging on your original offer of amnesty. Going for vengeance as many on this forum advocate would at this point merely prolong an already painful situation for you by having to turn over the train to the court as evidence until a trial and eventual verdict would be rendered and then very likely culminating with probably nothing other than probation for the perp as the sentence since he voluntarily returned you property. Better to have the situation behind you, move on, repair your train, and start enjoying it as you'd always intended to do.

IMO - vengeance and revenge do not do nearly as much to those it's intended for as it does to those seeking it by eating away at their own feelings of happiness, state-of-mind, and well-being. Revenge is a hollow victory, if that!

Hi Harry,

Great to hear your engine is now home!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks,

Alex

I'm wondering if a quick light bath in alcohol or similar, would remove that black paint on the tender without harming the original coat? Maybe talk with Jeff Sohn?

Good day Harry,

I have read both tread about this very unfortunate situation you had to go to.

I believe you have taken a very good decision and demonstrated that good can come out of bad situations.

The help and support you got from the gentlemen on this forum is superb . It shows that there are more good than bad... And you took out the bad apple out of the lot.

I can relate to you as I had 3 items stolen from me during a public showing of my modular layout. I had a Lionel GP-9 , no. 60 trolley and a circus wagon( hand made) that was stolen. The police took a report , ask me to file a complaint. When I was intervied by the inspector, he told me that it was probably some kids who stole the items and that I would probably not see them again ( They have bigger fish to catch).

The insurance cover the lost.

But most important: This incident did'nt change my willingness and determination to share the hobby.

The first thing I did was to built a new circus wagon like the one that was stolen. They may have stolen a wagon but they did'nt steal my hand and passion for circus!

Then I continue to present my modular layout for Christmas at the city art gallery.. and I have been doing that for 6 years.

The joy and smiles of the kids and grown-up have healed this wound of being robbed.

I hope you continue to share the hobby: there is more joy in sharing then revenge or bitterness.

Hope one day to meet you and share the fun of our trains.

Jacques Brouillette

Well said. Kudos to Harry for not wanting revenge and keeping his word.

Harry, please post pics of the locomotive once it has been restored.

Hi Harry.

Glad that you got your engine & tender back.  It is too bad the Tender lettering was removed as well. It is nice of Keith to offer new decals for your tender so you can restore it. I hope this never happens again to you or anyone.

From breezinup:

This matter was handled outside the legal system; there was no criminal prosecution and the alleged perpetrator was never found guilty of any crime. Public allegations of alleged wrongdoing in such a case would be improper.

For example, say a neighbor of yours alleged that you used his lawnmower without permission, and he then defames you by telling everyone in the neighborhood that you are a thief and stole his lawnmower. Except it wasn't you who took the lawnmower, or else perhaps there were extenuating circumstances that were not considered. Say, for example, that his son said you could borrow the mower. Regardless, you've now been branded as a thief to the public. This is the situation that the law attempts to protect people from.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=====

Yes. Outside a court, it's all just he-said - he-said - and potentially irresponsibly harmful. Do we know what happened? No. 

===========

How do you get that blasted thing in your pocket, anyway? It's summertime; no coats.

Great news to hear you got your engine back and mostly in tact without serious damage. It is difficult to deal with one's feelings about all this, especially after going to all the effort you put forth so every one of your guests could enjoy a good time while visiting your home. However, maybe the large number of folks that tried to help with pictures, videos and support here on the forum will help overcome some of the bad feelings about the event. At least I hope they do.

Also, on the brighter side there were a whole LOT more folks wanting to help and only one ruining the show. I think this is a very good overall sign for us as O gauge hobbyists as I think it shows there are many more good folks in the hobby than bad ones. At least that is the way it looks to me out here sitting on the sidelines. So 99% good and only 1% bad is a pretty good ratio for the good side.

Something is known from being on the videos so it isn't all conjecture. Sort of like a security camera but better quality.

Hi I am also glad it ended well for you.My only thought is if he stole from you he has probably stolen from others. What else does he have that other hobbiests are still looking for?

While you might indeed be acquitted in a lawsuit, you still have to pay for the defense, lawyers are expensive.

This has been resolved as well as can be expected at this point, further action would probably be a huge and expensive mistake!  I suggest that we let sleeping dogs lie, fleas and all.

Revenge isn't so much on my mind as preventing it from happening to the next guy. For someone to have the cajones to do this, he probably swiped smaller stuff before.

We'd all hate to think that the oxygen thief who stole the locomotive in question will do so again, to someone else...

One thing's for sure; if I was a local pal of hah3's, I'd pretty much demand he tell me in private who the chucklehead was, so that I'd never deal with that person again.

I agree with Gunrunner-put it to rest but be careful.