Steam dreams shattered
2009-03-19
Lise Beyers
HUNDREDS of thousands of rands worth of model steam trains, including one very rare locomotive, have been stolen from a farm north of Paarl. The burglary was discovered last Wednesday morning at Nwanedi Wine Estate on the R45, when the farm manager saw that the door of the wine-tasting room had been forced open. On closer investigation, he realised that the entire tasting area had been turned upside down. The police were contacted, as well as farm owner, Gavin Stork. On Stork’s arrival, minutes later, he found one of his metal model locomotives (which is valued at R250 000) to be missing, as well as various other models which were still in there boxes, five computers, a stamp collection and bottles of wine. “The place was in total chaos, but the thieves were very specific about what they wanted. The locomotive in question is only one of twenty worldwide and is a sought-after item and irreplaceable. The perpetrator however did not take the carriage, which was standing right next to the locomotive.” It is also unlikely that a petty burglar would take the stamp collection, which looked like any book on the bookshelf. Even police detectives are mystified by the selectivity of the burglary. Stork moved to Paarl 12 years ago and acquired Nwanedi to fulfil his dream of building a railway track. “Since the age of six, when I was given my first model train set, I have been fanatical about trains. My collection compromises of about 600 locomotives from all over the world. My plan is to construct a two and a half kilometre track through the farm for a small ride-on steam engine, which will be open to the public.” “But my dreams have been shattered by the theft of my models, and currently all I want is for them to be returned.” Anybody who comes across these stolen model trains or has any information, can contact Stork directly on 083-407-4246.
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