Greetings:

While doing research for the 2nd edition of "THE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE DIRECTORY OF NORTH AMERICA" I went looking for the "Heisler Fireless Engine For Sale" posted June 18, 2001 by Richard Wilkens.

It had been reported as missing ca. 2010 and I called the phone number for Alicia McCormack from the posting - no longer in service, so in 2018 I went looking for it where it had last been reported: Selma, Alabama.

It was gone from its last known location and after driving around the area a while, I decided to go to the police station and ask, they knew nothing so I went to a local bank. I ask the bank officer sitting at the front desk about Alicia. She looked startled and ask what my business was with her. I had a copy of the 1st edition of my book and showed her the listing and how I had come to know that Alicia owned a locomotive. She excused herself and went to talk to someone else. When she returned she said that Alicia and her husband had run afoul of the law and that their property had been sold in a court auction to whoever owned the adjoining property.

The property next to where I believe that the locomotive is a automobile salvage yard. The owner was on the phone so I hung around chatting with a couple of employees, one of whom was quite familiar with the locomotive and accurately explained to me how a fireless engine works. He said that "a few years ago" it had been loaded onto a big trailer and hauled away. He didn't want to talk about Alicia. I waited around but the owner never got off the phone so I left my business card with a note asking him to call me about the locomotive. He never did. I found a current phone number for Alicia, called and left messages but never got a call back.

If anyone reading this has any information as to the location of this locomotive, I would be very grateful to know. The 2nd edition of my book is complete except for the indices and is almost ready to go the publisher. My email and PM can be found in my member information. Thank you!

Be well & stay safe,

J.David

That's a wild story.

Great Train Robbery