Anger has given way to devastation for a Junee train enthusiast following the theft of his most prized possessions.
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On the morning of September 9, Kevin Schultz woke to find his collection of unique and priceless train memorabilia had been stolen from his home shed.
The stolen collection showcased a range of C-Class models, plates and signals, including a 5-inch gauge locomotive similar to that used at the Willans Hill Miniature Railway.
"Eclectic would be the right word [for what was taken], there were locomotive horns, boards, all sorts of things," Mr Schultz said.
"It's absolutely shocked me to the core and left me dumbfounded."
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Over the years, Mr Schultz has donated his time and collection to raising money for charities, including Beyond Blue and the Cancer Council.
Concerned that the notoriety his collection had received through his charitable actions had contributed to its theft, Mr Schultz said he feels forced to reconsider any future philanthropy.
"Unfortunately, now this is how I've been repaid for all that work," he said.
"I raised a lot of money for these charities, only to have a lot of money taken from me overnight."
While the entire collection is estimated to be worth tens-of-thousands of dollars, Mr Schultz recognises the theft as having taken years of his work, pride and time.
"I've been picking these bits and pieces up through the years, whenever things were decommissioned or put out for replacement," he said.
"This would have been one of the better collections of C-Class items in the country.
"It's taken me 30-odd years to collect it all, so yes, it's all worth a lot of money but it's personally hit me on a very hard level."
Following preliminary investigations by forensic crews attached to the Riverina Police District, Mr Schultz has concluded that the theft constituted a calculated act, rather than a crime of opportunity.
"It's definitely a targetted attack, they must have known I had it in there. They must have had a van or a 4WD at least to get it out. It is all movable but it'd take a bit of work," Mr Schultz said.
An NSW Police spokesperson confirmed that they were investigating the theft within a 16-hour window. It is believed the break-in to Mr Schultz's home took place between 5.30pm and 9am on September 9.
Mr Schultz believes the night's weather conditions contributed to the thieves' escape with his collection.
"It was the night the southerly came through, so it was quite a wild and windy night. The sound of the shed rattling, that noise wouldn't have been noticed in the storm."
The devastation of the loss forced Mr Schultz to take a few days off work in recovery, but now that a few weeks have passed, he is continuing to hold out hope for his collection's safe return.
"It's unique stuff, hopefully it will be found. I guess it's just a case of wait and see."