Peter Cross
Western Thunderer
Very sad episode, I know if it was me I couldn't salvage any parts, my heart would not be in it.
Layouts destroyed at Market Deeping
- Thread starter John K
- Start date
- Status
Jordan
Mid-Western Thunderer
"Destroyed" isn't the word, is it??!! 
the scum really went to town there - I don't think I've ever heard of anything like this happening before. The mind boggles.
The perpetrators should have the possesions that are dearest to them - I'll take a wild guess at a phone, & Xbox and/or Playstation - smashed up in front of their eyes, so they can see how funny it is & feel the true effect of the loss. Better still, they should be made to smash up each other's phones, etc, in front of their parents, police & members of the model railway club.
the scum really went to town there - I don't think I've ever heard of anything like this happening before. The mind boggles.The perpetrators should have the possesions that are dearest to them - I'll take a wild guess at a phone, & Xbox and/or Playstation - smashed up in front of their eyes, so they can see how funny it is & feel the true effect of the loss. Better still, they should be made to smash up each other's phones, etc, in front of their parents, police & members of the model railway club.
victorianman
Western Thunderer
Whilst I don't disagree with you , Jordan, the items you mention are all replaceable straight out of a shop. The real thing that these idiots have stolen is time, which cannot have a value placed on it. I know if it had happened to me (and I feel pretty sick because I did try some time ago to get my layout into that show!!!!!!), they would have stolen years of my life from a life with not much time now left in it. I also have a deep-seated feeling that the general portrayal in the media of model railways/enthusiasts makes us fair game for 'a bit of fun' because, after all, we must be emotionally retarded and socially inadequate. Just an opinion which may be off the wall. My sincerest sympathies to everyone who was a victim-- real victims on this occasion.
Phil O
Western Thunderer
I have only just seen this thread, my heart felt sympathies to all those that have had many hours of painstaking work destroyed in a such a wanton way. Whatever the bench hands down by way of retribution, will compensate for the loses incurred by the exhibitors and traders.
John K
Western Thunderer
The layout was systematically wrecked. No part is untouched. It’s a total loss.
John K
PeteB
Active Member
Like I said, these scumbags need to be named and shamed. We can all show support by turning up to their day in court, if John can supply us with a date, where we can just stare at them during their appearance in front of the bench. This might also influence the judge when considering the sentence. I live in south London 130 miles away with a 2 and a half hour drive, tell me the date and I'll be there.
A sad and angry Pete
A sad and angry Pete
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Morning John. I am so sorry for what you are coming to terms with, both personally and as a club.
If I may make a suggestion. Not sure where the Police investigation is at the moment but I would recommend making a few notes. Try to commit to paper how you feel and what this means to you. If the Police ask you to make a Victim Personal Impact statement in addition to any initial statement then these notes made so soon after the event will assist you in making this additional statement.
Pete, this will make no difference. You sign off as sad and angry. Anger never solved anything and acts arising from anger are generally ill judged.
The best support we can offer is simply to maintain the moral high ground and provide the right words at the right time.
Show people just what a fine community this hobby has.
Rob.
Chris Veitch
Western Thunderer
I can only echo the anger and heartfelt sympathies of other contributors. At least two traders that I know personally have suffered thefts from shows and I know this is a significant problem, but I have to admit that it had never even occurred to me that someone would want to do something like this.
Why? Well, that's a tough one and I suspect "societal reasons" will get the blame (if anyone ever accords the case enough weight to look at it in any detail). To me this looks to be on a par with those who wreck gardens or allotments, destroy classic cars or trash children' school work. I suspect it's a type of envy of those who are able to focus themselves on something worthwhile simply for the pleasure of it.
I also have this fear, although I do think opinions may have changed slightly in recent years. I think one aspect of this might be an inability or reluctance by the magistrates (I'd assume it's not a case that would go before a judge, but I may be wrong) to acknowledge the true value of the losses and sentence appropriately. If the perpetrators has torched a street of parked cars they'd be under psychological profiling to determine if they were dangerous serial arsonists because of the scale of damage they'd inflicted. A good O scale loco kit built to exhibition standards is - even by the crudest measure of say, purchase price + construction time at minimum wage - worth a considerable sum and it doesn't take many to reach the value of a family car. I'd guess this has been destroyed many times over in this incident but I do worry that this isn't really understood and that the losses are trivialised by those not in the hobby.
Why? Well, that's a tough one and I suspect "societal reasons" will get the blame (if anyone ever accords the case enough weight to look at it in any detail). To me this looks to be on a par with those who wreck gardens or allotments, destroy classic cars or trash children' school work. I suspect it's a type of envy of those who are able to focus themselves on something worthwhile simply for the pleasure of it.
I also have this fear, although I do think opinions may have changed slightly in recent years. I think one aspect of this might be an inability or reluctance by the magistrates (I'd assume it's not a case that would go before a judge, but I may be wrong) to acknowledge the true value of the losses and sentence appropriately. If the perpetrators has torched a street of parked cars they'd be under psychological profiling to determine if they were dangerous serial arsonists because of the scale of damage they'd inflicted. A good O scale loco kit built to exhibition standards is - even by the crudest measure of say, purchase price + construction time at minimum wage - worth a considerable sum and it doesn't take many to reach the value of a family car. I'd guess this has been destroyed many times over in this incident but I do worry that this isn't really understood and that the losses are trivialised by those not in the hobby.
Focalplane
Western Thunderer
I told my wife what happened and showed her the Mercury newspaper photos. She shook her head and said the vandals should be made to clean the school toilets for a lengthy period of community service.
I think we all need to be aware that our layouts can be a target even in our own homes, sheds, garages and gardens. I was recently asked on a another forum where I live. I explained in a PM that I would not reveal that information to the world at large for the obvious reason.
I think we all need to be aware that our layouts can be a target even in our own homes, sheds, garages and gardens. I was recently asked on a another forum where I live. I explained in a PM that I would not reveal that information to the world at large for the obvious reason.
simond
Western Thunderer
If an insurance assessor (working for those who have suffered losses) can summarise the total amount of the losses, and can be called as a witness, I suspect even the most naive magistrate would have difficulty ignoring the magnitude of the damage. There’s more than a few cars’ worth there.
Add to that, the emotional loss, for which no compensation will be adequate. Victim statements will support this.
Thorough notes, and a sheaf of photos, build notes, instructions, etc. Any documentary evidence of the time, efforts, money and craftsmanship, will all help build a picture of what has been destroyed.
I can’t fathom the mindset of the idiots who did this, but I’m very glad that whatever caused them that much hate hasn’t been part of my growing up.
Best
Simon
Add to that, the emotional loss, for which no compensation will be adequate. Victim statements will support this.
Thorough notes, and a sheaf of photos, build notes, instructions, etc. Any documentary evidence of the time, efforts, money and craftsmanship, will all help build a picture of what has been destroyed.
I can’t fathom the mindset of the idiots who did this, but I’m very glad that whatever caused them that much hate hasn’t been part of my growing up.
Best
Simon
PeteB
Active Member
Sorry Rob, I totally disagree, A full gallery would make a difference. These thugs need to know the extent of the damage they have done, not just the physical but the mental damage to those who have lost so much.
You are right about the fine community within this hobby, which is so evident from the writings above.
Pete
You are right about the fine community within this hobby, which is so evident from the writings above.
Pete
Peter Cross
Western Thunderer
The trouble will come if it's a first offense. It may not even get to the magistrates. If it does it may lead to community service, which from experience them turning up is a bonus.
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Pete, it rests with the people directly affected by this to present the effect that this has had on them to the court. You advocate travelling considerable distance to court simply to stare at the offenders. This is not right and will exert no pressure whatsoever on the decision makers. Complete strangers going to court for this purpose will simply complicate matters and deflect attention away from the matter in hand.
That is why it will make no difference.
We are all appalled by this. As I say, let's not complicate matters but continue to offer support by measured comment and heart felt good wishes.
Rob.
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Hello again chaps.
My daughter has just sent me this link. Vandals trash model railway show Those of us who can will be able to add our names to the supporters willing to put our hands in our pockets for a few quid. It cannot replace the destroyed models or the time and effort in producing them but at the very least it's a demonstration of solidarity. Interesting too that the BBC report is in no way underplaying the issue along the lines of "boys and their toys" which was a bit of a concern. I've not investigated but it looks as though this collection is for the club. We need a way of demonstrating our support for the individuals, societies and traders caught up in this unholy incident as well.
Brian
My daughter has just sent me this link. Vandals trash model railway show Those of us who can will be able to add our names to the supporters willing to put our hands in our pockets for a few quid. It cannot replace the destroyed models or the time and effort in producing them but at the very least it's a demonstration of solidarity. Interesting too that the BBC report is in no way underplaying the issue along the lines of "boys and their toys" which was a bit of a concern. I've not investigated but it looks as though this collection is for the club. We need a way of demonstrating our support for the individuals, societies and traders caught up in this unholy incident as well.
Brian
Rob Pulham
Western Thunderer
I have just read this thread with much sadness and dismay.
I cannot imagine how you and the exhibitors and traders must feel John. As some said above, no amount of compensation can give you back the time to rebuild the layout and stock.
I cannot imagine how you and the exhibitors and traders must feel John. As some said above, no amount of compensation can give you back the time to rebuild the layout and stock.
- Status