Seeking Information on a Stolen Tich Locomotive

[Whistling JennyParticipant @whistlingjenny50449]

Hello all

I am the daughter of an extremely talented engineer who today exhibited a steam engine, 3 stationary engines driving a spit roast, corn mill and saw, plus a ferguson tractor, all built / restored by his (mainly black!) hands.

My daddy is my world (I am 38). He is also an extremely strong and brave fighter who has so far WON his fight against three advanced stage cancerous tumors with two operations and chemo. We are devastated to hear recently that it is back, 3 different places and different types.

Why on earth am I telling you this? Around 30 years ago, we were burgled in west Dorset. His first ever engine he built, a 3.5" Tich called Whistling Jenny was stolen. It is my absolute dream to get them reunited in the circumstances. I fear my chances of finding her are somewhere between massively slim to none, but this is where I've chosen to start! So, help, thoughts, ideas or optimistically any information would be so very gratefully received. Thank you in advance. Mod please move etc as appropriate, thanks. Not sure whether my name appears as have not seen anywhere to choose/edit a user name, but I do want to remain as anonymous as possible – especially when it comes to social media. He is a very private person.

[Whistling JennyParticipant @whistlingjenny50449]

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Good luck with your search !

H

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Was there anything on the engine that would help to identify it from all the other Tichs as I'm sure any nameplate would have been the first item to be removed. Things like any numbers stamped on the boiler, deviations from the plans, colour, etc.

Best of luck.

 

J

 

PS I have moved the thread to the help section and only Mods can see you details if we go looking for them but if you do want to alter your username go to settings on the green bar at the top of the page.

Edited By JasonB on 04/07/2016 08:01:37

[Whistling JennyParticipant @whistlingjenny50449]

Jason, really appreciate your help, thank you. I imagine that would be the case with the name plate so I shall endeavour to get any of that great info you suggested and even pictures.

Many thanks!

Harry – thank you.

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Jason I don't think there will have been many 3.5 inch Tich s built But I suspect it's going to be a long shot after 30 years

Roy

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I'm afraid all I can add is good luck, but an email to the editor of Model Engineer [email protected] might also help if she doesn't see this thread.

Neil

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Roy, I know locos are not my thing but I thought that Tich was quite a popular design, the name crops up often enough?

"Jenny" you may also want to copy your post on this forum where most of the loco types tend to post.

 

Edited By JasonB on 04/07/2016 09:45:01

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

A picture would be invaluable methinks, if you could locate one.

A photo can be scanned, and cropped if required

[Bob StevensonParticipant @bobstevenson13909]

Jenny,…….When you were burgled 30 years back it could not have been the usual speculative intrusion of a few moments to find valuable items to exchange in the pub for a few drinks/pounds/ fixes…….. Burglars do not break into houses, happen upon model steam engines and pop them in a pocket! Whoever took the engine KNEW that it was there, went prepared to remove suchh an article and probably had a buyer lined up (who may have bought the engine quite honestly believing it a genuine sale)………

…….If then, the burglar knew about the engine in advance, he/she/them must have had access to info from a local source…..so, you need to go back to your Dad's aquaintances, club, neighbours,…wrack your brains about who knew the engine was there in your house. There WILL be a link and someone locally knows more about this, yes, even after 30 years. Ask at the nearest model engineering club for any info about other thefts of model engines or about anyone selling engines. For example; if there was more than one theft in the area and one of the several small companies who buy and sell engines remembers a 'source' of models in your area then, after 30 years, they may be willing to divulge more info now, especially in the circumstances. For the same reasons an article in the local papers may also 'jog some memories' if not concsciences…..I appreciate your Dad's reticence and privacy, but the more coverage, the more likely some results after 30 years!

Good Luck and good cheer!

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Jason Appologies I was confusing it with Minnie which was 1 inch scale and was a traction engine

Roy

 

Edited By roy entwistle on 04/07/2016 10:57:48

Edited By roy entwistle on 04/07/2016 11:09:29

[Whistling JennyParticipant @whistlingjenny50449]

Bob – wow, thank you. And yes, they knew where it was (a small detached workshop – did not touch garage or house) and took little else I believe so we are of the same mindset there. Brilliant suggestions. I've got some work to do Thanks again!

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

It sounds very tragic, not to put you on a downer i hope, all i can do is wish you luck and post this to keep it top of the latest for now but only a short moment indeed. Good luck!

I know of nobody who owns a steam engine and have only ever seen them in museums and shows, so i have next to no contacts, sorry i can't help. If i did, rest assured i would've done my best. 

Michael W 

Edited By Michael Walters on 04/07/2016 12:02:11

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

First thing is to ask the moderators to change the title of the thread to "Tich Information (Titch)" so that search engines can find it. Anyone buying a Tich is likely to do some searches and will find the thread, be intrigued by 'what information' and investigate and also might spell it as Titch.
Having determined any distinguishing marks and any record of its boiler certificate systematically contact each of the ME clubs starting in the west country (email is so much easier than this would have been 30 years ago) asking if it resembles any locos they know about, and if they have records that show any being newly tested in the 5 years after the theft or the last 5 years (see below).

One might also speculate as to why anyone would commission the theft of such a small loco. My guess would be as a gift for a child of preteen age so now around 43. They would either have sold it in their early twenties when cash became more important than sentiment or still have it and have recommissioned it in the last 5 years for their own child.

Final point to all builders – remember to make secret ID marks on both boiler and frames and also ID where the boiler inspector will see it.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I've changed the title of the thread to something more meaningful.

I'm afraid that Tich is a VERY popular loco, and the nature of a d sign like this is that even though each one is individual (and acknowledging there were various permutations, notably boiler size) they are all superficially similar. In order to identify it you will need to provide a comprehensive description to help identify its, and be able to back this up with some specific details to allow for proof of identification – I would give these to the police ASAP as you will need to have these agreed BEFORE it is found.

It is likely that the present owner has no idea the loco is stolen. While the law may state you can reclaim it if found and identified, the current owner may have their own strong attachment to it. Willingness to come to some other arrangement might make it more likely that anyone with a doubt in their mind might check their Tich more carefully.

Neil

[Whistling JennyParticipant @whistlingjenny50449]

Thanks Neil – good sense to change the title… I am finding out as much as I can as we speak from my elder brother mainly, who is himself building the identical model based on the original manual dad had. AJ could you post a picture of that, plus any info mentioned above – I know we talked about a cab and coal truck or something. Anything and everything will help piece together the best pocture we could get. I will be searching through photos on Friday!

Coming to an arrangement was always on the cards. I don't want there to be any one losing out here, that just would not be fair.

Thanks for tips re police too. It was certainly reported at the time. Whether I can get hold of that information now is a different question!

Heartfelt thanks to all posters so far x

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

PM sent.

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

Hi Jenny,

I sympathise with your Dad's loss many years ago.

I am afraid 'Plod' will not be best placed to deal with these things.

If it is sitting on someone's mantelpiece or shelf, they would not know it was stolen unless they saw pictures that would enable it to be identified. Very few Tichs get steamed regularly and run. Those that do are well known. Some end up as ornaments. Most get taken to bits eventually and end up as junk in the scrap bin. Ebay is littered with dismantled or old Tichs.

If someone bought it, even if down a line, the original theft means it remains your father's property. If the current 'owner' realises from this thread or advert in ME it is stolen they are hardly likely to reveal their possession, unless they have a conscience.

If you do not have pictures of the loco as originally built you can provide then I am somewhat pessimistic. A nameplate can easily be removed, and a loco easily repainted. A picture/photograph is essential. That odd cheesehead screw in a certain position. That odd shape of a certain part etc.

Cheers,

Julian

Edited By julian atkins on 05/07/2016 00:05:45

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

I would also second that as a bit of casual detective work, someone had, just had to know he built it. The first things any typical burglar has in mind are cash and jewelry, easy to take, know what they're looking for and can be in and out very quickly. Imagine the timescale on what they're trying to achieve, probably around 20 minutes, they can't afford to take unnecessary risks on items possibly too heavy to steal. Not only that, but they're unlikely to realize the market value for a engine. It would've been hard to pass on locally and quickly unlike other priced commodities.

You can choose to deny that if you want, and simply believe it was a completely random act, it's possible after all. That line of thinking doesn't really give you anything to go on though.

The likelihood is as awful as it may sound, someone he trusted, or he procured goods from to complete the engine betrayed him, knew he made a good job of it and stabbed him in the back. And that is traceable, because your father will know who his friends were at the time. It would've been the people in the immediate fallout of the event who will know the most about it. If it were me this would be my line of enquiry, a scatter gun isn't likely to yield results this far after. But thats just my opinion.

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 05/07/2016 00:45:20

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

I remember Alec Farmer (of Reeves fame) confiding to me they sold more sets of castings for Tich than anything else. Neither of us could understand why as the loco was pretty useless as a working loco unless very well made, and in the hands of a very skilled driver on a good track.

As for value, I am afraid part built and finished Tichs are two a penny. They are not worth much when completed. Their retail value does not in anyway reflect the time spent in the making.

If Jenny's aspiration is to re-unite a 'valuable' Tich with her father as builder, the 'valuable' part is singularly misplaced.

However if for emotional reasons then I can perfectly understand.

Cheers,

Julian

Edited By julian atkins on 05/07/2016 01:00:11

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Was that the situation 30 years ago? i would imagine with the advent of the internet they're much easier to get in 2016 than 1986? I'm not educated on this so i'm genuinely asking whether or not it would be similarly priced. If at any rate, all the the less reason to steal unless he knew them and it was out of spite and jealousy rather than value,

Michael W

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

Hi Michael,

Tichs have never had a retail value that reflects the time spent in construction and cost of materials and boiler making etc.

I remember one for sale (completed and finished) when in my teens at the Brighton and Hove Engineerium 35 years ago for £300. Inflation for Tichs has not been favourable since. They are pretty useless as a working loco so just a shelf ornament.

Now, if Jenny's Dad had built a different 'special' 3.5"g or a 5"g loco things would be quite different!

I recently had to sell one of my GWR locos which came 3rd in IMLEC in 1995. It was an unusual loco, and a 'one off' with lots of special features. It achieved quite a premium, which went to pay for replacing the large rear roof on the house, as the rain poured through the old roof.

'Bog standard' locos sadly are of far less retail value and interest.

I dont think the theft from Jenny's Dad's shed was pre-mediatated or by persons with specialist knowledge. It was opportunistic. Tich is easy to lift and carry. The lathe would have been worth more – but much heavier and difficult to remove.

Cheers,

Julian

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Ah, i see well, i had to ask the question because i wasn't even alive in 1986. Most people older than me tend to talk to me about what music they listened to or what pub they used to drink at rather than interesting things.

I don't really have any history at all related to steam engines or childhood exposure to it (only in the much more distant past were my ancestors workers for the swindon rail factories) But the engineering bent exerts its influence to this day, as my father(a rather different sort of engineering), as well as i am now involved in it. I certainly didn't pick it nor was it chosen for me!

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 05/07/2016 02:06:33

[Whistling JennyParticipant @whistlingjenny50449]

I should have a picture within a week – sounds like that will certainly help. Thanks.

[Author]

Posts