NNG; Selling Stolen Items

Sorry for the doom and gloom people but here’s a controversy: I recently came across a Pyle National headlight that was sold on LiveAuctioneers in May of last year. What really erked me about this headlight was that it was labeled “400”. Immediately, I began searching for photos of Texas and Pacific 400’s backlight. And what would you know, this is a near identical match. The 400 still had its backlight when it was donated to the Marshall, Texas city park in 1963, and it doesn’t have it today, which means that it was stolen (hypothetically, the City of Marshall could’ve just gave it away for all I know). I absolutely hate to see stolen items being sold. To add insult to injury, I recently discovered someone who sold castings made from the original Baldwin builder’s plate from the 400. That just makes me even more annoyed. If you are reading this and you have an original piece of the 400 that was stolen, I do ask that you please return it to the locomotive. It’s not yours, and you have no right to own it.

Headlight Link: [www.liveauctioneers.com]
Close up view of the 400’s backlight:


On the bright side, I am in contact with someone to make replica builder’s plates for the 400. Maybe it would be possible for him to make replica plates for the 483 and other D&RGW locomotives on display that are missing their builder’s plates. [leroyslocomotiveworks.com]
Casting of the 400’s original builder’s plates which was sold on eBay.