Illawarra Live Steamers has sent thanks to the community for supporting the club through recent thefts, after a second stolen train was recovered in Berkeley.
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Club president Greg Coleman told the Mercury the ‘‘Blowfly’’ model train had been uncovered in a laneway on Wednesday night.
“A local guy found it, and after speaking to his family, called the police to report it,” Mr Coleman said.
Two trains, the Blowfly and a Warrick H16, were stolen from the club’s North Wollongong miniature railway last week.
The Warrick was found in numerous broken pieces in shallow water at Lake Illawarra on Tuesday.
The train, worth an estimated $15,000, had been stripped of $150 worth of copper.
Mr Coleman said the Blowfly was found in much better condition, and did not appear to have had its copper removed.
The Illawarra united in anger over the theft, with Mercury readers branding thieves “low-lifes’’ and “scumbags”.
Mr Coleman said club members had been “overwhelmed” by the reaction of the community, with a Unanderra security company offering to install a new alarm system and a Shellharbour diving centre helping search for more train parts in the lake.
“I’m gobsmacked by the community support. Even a cashier in the supermarket said some kind words to me,” he said.
“The new alarm will give us massive peace of mind.”
Anyone with information on the theft is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or Lake Illawarra police on 4232 5599.