Just saw this story on the BBC web site. Very sad indeed. I feel for these modelers right now. I could not imagine the feeling I would have if my entire layout was destroyed like this. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-48332649
Please see this thread; https://www.trainboard.com/highball...-railway-brothers-across-the-big-pond.125245/
It amazes me what some idiots think is entertainment. Of course the parents are probably not concerned. Maybe if they get a bill for materials and the thousands of hours of labor that went into the smashed items. Then they might be concerned....... I blame the parents because these pillars of the community obviously never learned to leave things alone that were not theirs. The best punishment I can think of wold be to go to their homes and smash everything of theirs...... This is just sad.
I will try to merge these treads. https://www.trainboard.com/highball...-railway-brothers-across-the-big-pond.125245/
Heard on the radio today that a fellow modeller (sometimes entertainer) from across the pond has stepped up with a donation of funds. A fund was created because of Rod Stewart's donation and now there is over $60,000 (this was a few hours ago when I heard this) available to that club. The comments on destroying personal items belonging to the vandals probably wouldn't affect them with today's disposable society values. Wish it was that easy to replace the losses of the modellers of their personal creations and hours of work. All destroyed in just a few moments by those who have no "values" of anything in life. Great response from Rod and those who have contributed to the fund set up. Hope the financial assistance keeps the hobby going for the ones who lost their creations. Just read the other postings on the funding, just added the Rod Stewart parts. Tpwillie
1) You can't fix STUPID. 2) I hope the vandals get what's coming to them (I doubt it though) 3) GOD BLESS Rod Stewart.
They were four 16 year olds that just finished exams got a hold of a bottle of vodka....they were released on bond.
Saw this on TRAIN INDUSTRY NEWS Email: STAMFORD, England — Four 16-year-old boys have admitted in court they were drinking alcohol and playing soccer in a school gymnasium full of model train exhibits when they began trashing models, flipping tables, and causing more than $35,000 in damage in May. The BBC reports that three of the boys received 12-month-sentences to a youth intervention program with a fourth to be sentenced in September. The three boys' parents were fined about $600 for each youth. The response to the destruction was immediate with model railroaders from around the world donating in excess of $100,000 to repair the models and layouts damaged. Singer Rod Stewart, a famed model railroader, personally donated about $12,000. PERSONAL COMMENT: GOOD! To me they got off LIGHTLY. Glad to see they got the PARENTS involved.
Now that they have been found criminally liable, the insurance companies can go after them for damages. Civil penalties don’t cover making the victim whole.
Whatever happened to parents teaching kids about respecting other people's property? Plus the lack of serious consequences and you have a nice cocktail recipe for delinquency. I'm so glad my folks made sure my head was screwed on straight. I hope the insurance companies nail their parents hard.
While violence directed back at these boys is our human instinct, a far better punishment would be to not only have them pay back in money but time. Make them each spend time with those effected and help repair the damage they have done. Once they see how much work, effort and time is put into these models and displays, they may think twice about what they have done. Years ago, one of my Jeep's was vandalized by a 15 year old girl for absolutely no reason. I caught her, called the authorities and had the police there within minutes. The police officer wanted to know if I wished to press charges against the mother as the 15 year old was too young. My response to both the mother and police officer was, "I would rather she spend a month working at a body shop to better learn respect for others property." The officer liked my idea but in today's society, it would never happen. I'm constantly amazed at the complete lack of respect people have to one other these days.
back when i was a kid if my parents found out i did any thing close to this stuff my rear end would not being doing well. then they would make me go over and apologise then rebuild or repay what ever it was i did. then after that my butt would get tanned again just so i remembered it. NO MERCY that for the weak.
When I sent the article to my sister she and I agreed upon this> I wonder if their parents realize how much they deserve to share in the punishment ? one of my 5 Neice's resides in Ware , uk. Tom
