Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Stolen pumps.

So, I have a friend who married into a local gas jobber and he now works for them. One of his jobs is to clean up all of the bulk plants and stations. He called me last week and wanted me to go up to Virginia MN to clean out an old station that they sold to the historical society. There were probably around 25 pumps in the station. Many were newer, some were from the 60's and 70's, and there were a few older ones. I could not haul everything on my trailer, as everything still had its guts in it and the trailer just couldnt haul the weight. I hauled 10 of the pumps over to one of their bulk plants to "store it for a day or so" and hauled the majority of them home.

I went up there on Monday to pick them up, and four of them had been stolen. Keep in mind there was nothing really great there, but still. Im sure they will pop up for sale somewhere eventually as they did have some value.

What is wrong with people?

scrap guys also like them because of the weight. probably already crushed on there way to winnepeg.

A lot of RR museums have also experienced scrap theft of irreplaceable items.

That sucks!I'm geussing someone is going to scrap them,I had a few disappear from behind my shop along with some other steel.SOBS
I hope they turn up.
Joe

That sucks. Its a shame but you have to lock almost everything anymore. I live in the country but still lock up my tools & other stuff in big heavy cabinets. If they haul those away they earned it!!!! If you are getting any stainless 70s pumps let me know. A friend of mine is looking for a couple of them

To try and find the positive side of your post. So what were you able to pick up & bring home? Any cool ones?

Sorry to hear that. I don't know what is wrong with people. It seems like it is getting way worse than ever and it doesn't seem to be just "low lifes" anymore. I don't want to hijack your thread, so I think I will start an new one.
John

sorry to hear, But your friend has a GREAT job

I will try to get some pics up maybe this weekend. Shop has been pretty busy this winter and I have not had much free time.

I'm glad that you were able to get some of the pumps out. The thief or thieves displayed what all of us in the hobby abhor--stealing. None of us can think of a worse thing to have happen to those who collect petroliana. I do not think it was random. They had to know what they were taking. Anyway, Merry Christmas, Ryan.

That's my fear that is keeping me from putting my pumps outside. I hate thieves! I do envy your friends job though!

I am sure they went to the scrap yard ,Last year a gas station closed after the owner died and I had been going there for years it was the only full service station close by that the owner pumped the gas for you. I talked to his daughter about the 6 pumps he had that had been removed and sitting next to the station , nothing great just some 70s square pumps and she told me to check back in a week and she may sell. Went back she said I was too late some one had stolen them.