Browse Sections

• Education
• Barlow's brief
• Special reports

Engine fanatic begs thieves to return his ‘Little Jack’

by Alex Scapens
16/ 4/2008

A HEARTBROKEN train fanatic has spent 12 years building his own traction engine only to have it stolen from his driveway.

Ron Dicks, 61, of Handforth has begged for the safe return of ‘Little Jack’ - named after his grandson - which he built from scratch.

It is a third of the size of a real locomotive and after more than a decade’s work all Ron needed to do was give it a fresh coat of paint.  But Little Jack and its trailer disappeared from in front of his Tabley Road home some time on April 1 between 11am and 1pm.

Ron, a member of the Stockport Society of Model Engineers, said: "I'm totally devastated, it is like losing a member of the family. It had taken me 12 years to build and was a real labour of love.

"I’d put my heart and soul into it, which is why I'm so angry. I just can’t go out and buy another to replace it, Little Jack is unique. My grandson loves it, he is only two and thinks it is something out of Thomas the Tank Engine. The whole family is disappointed."

The engine had been taxed, insured and was roadworthy having a registration of MV05 HMC.

It is largely black and green with a red sign on the front saying, "William Foster & Co. Ltd, Lincoln". The trailer is white.

The thieves had used a bolt cutter to break the security chains that were meant to keep Little Jack safe.

Ron added: "There’s no real use to whoever has taken it as there are not many people who would want to buy it, but it has enormous sentimental value.  I would ask the people responsible to just leave it somewhere and let me know where it is."

A police spokesman confirmed they had received a report of the theft of a locomotive and are investigating.

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Ron on 01625 535214.