The Great Train Robbery

 THE CREW: This criminal gang was straight out of a Cloze (1): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDEwJXUwMDI3JXUwMDAzJXUwMDAwJXUwMDE1JXUwMDBlJXUwMDE4JXUwMDAwJXUwMDBi movie. There was Bruce Reynolds, the “brains” of the criminal operation. Next come Buster Edwards, an ex-boxer. The rest of the gang, totaling almost thirty Cloze (2): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDI4JXUwMDAyJXUwMDFkJXUwMDA5JXUwMDAzJXUwMDE2JXUwMDAwJXUwMDFhJXUwMDA2JXUwMDAxJXUwMDBm l criminals, possessed a mixture of distinct criminal Cloze (3): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDM5JXUwMDAzJXUwMDBiJXUwMDA1JXUwMDA1JXUwMDFkJXUwMDFkJXUwMDBjJXUwMDE2 needed to carry out the most audacious robbery in history.

THE CRIME: The year was 1963 and Reynolds was studying the movements of cash on postal trains out of London. He soon created the perfect Cloze (4): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDI4JXUwMDFjJXUwMDBkJXUwMDBm for robbing the night train without the need for violence. The scheme involved elaborate Cloze (5): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDNjJXUwMDBkJXUwMDFhJXUwMDE0JXUwMDEyJXUwMDFjJXUwMDFhJXUwMDE2JXUwMDE2 , multiple vehicles, and the research and manipulation of the London train Cloze (6): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDJiJXUwMDFhJXUwMDBlJXUwMDA5JXUwMDBmJXUwMDBkJXUwMDFm . The date of the robbery was arranged for June, but was changed to August, when extra money was expected to be taken due to a bank Cloze (7): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDMwJXUwMDA3JXUwMDAzJXUwMDA1JXUwMDBkJXUwMDA1JXUwMDE4 .

The heist began at 3:30am, when the Cloze (8): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDJjJXUwMDA2JXUwMDEzJXUwMDA4JXUwMDA3 stopped at false signals the criminals had set. Next, a group of “railway workers” approached the train. One of the real train workers, David Whitby, descended the train to Cloze (9): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDMxJXUwMDA3JXUwMDE4JXUwMDEzJXUwMDE2JXUwMDA3JXUwMDFkJXUwMDBlJXUwMDA2JXUwMDE1JXUwMDEx . Unfortunately, he asked Buster Edwards, who responded with a shove to the ground. Whitby grasped the situation and offered no Cloze (10): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDJhJXUwMDE3JXUwMDE2JXUwMDFhJXUwMDFhJXUwMDA3JXUwMDE1JXUwMDBmJXUwMDBkJXUwMDA2 , saving himself from serious injury. Jack Mills wasn’t so Cloze (11): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDM0JXUwMDE5JXUwMDE2JXUwMDA4JXUwMDEy . When the driver stepped into the darkness after his colleague, he met with a violent blow on the head, which left him Cloze (12): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDNiJXUwMDBjJXUwMDAzJXUwMDAwJXUwMDBkJXUwMDExJXUwMDAzJXUwMDE2JXUwMDAx and bleeding.

THE PLAN: was no longer Cloze (13): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDJmJXUwMDE4JXUwMDFkJXUwMDE5JXUwMDAyJXUwMDA3JXUwMDA5 . Day was threatening to break and some members failed to Cloze (14): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDM5JXUwMDEzJXUwMDAwJXUwMDFiJXUwMDFmJXUwMDEz for the robbery. Of greater concern was the train itself. Ronnie Biggs had been Cloze (15): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDMxJXUwMDA3JXUwMDE4JXUwMDFmJXUwMDFkJXUwMDExJXUwMDAx because of his experience conducting Cloze (16): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDNiJXUwMDBjJXUwMDAyJXUwMDAwJXUwMDA4JXUwMDE3JXUwMDExJXUwMDBhJXUwMDA4JXUwMDBk trains, but when he entered the engine car, it became apparent that Cloze (17): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDNjJXUwMDE2JXUwMDFiJXUwMDFmJXUwMDFmJXUwMDA3JXUwMDA5 a commercial train was worlds apart from that of a postal train. The train wasn’t going anywhere.

The robbers decided to Cloze (18): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDJkJXUwMDFiJXUwMDAyJXUwMDAzJXUwMDBlJXUwMDA1 the money by human chain down from the cargo compartment to the waiting vehicles. An unprecedented 2.3 million pounds were taken, equal to 40 million in today’s value.

SHORT-LIVED CELEBRATION: After the robbery, the gang hit-out on a farm. The general spirit was so festive that some even Cloze (19): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDI4JXUwMDFjJXUwMDBkJXUwMDE4JXUwMDFjJXUwMDAx the game monopoly using real Cloze (20): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDM1JXUwMDAyJXUwMDAxJXUwMDBiJXUwMDFj that they had stolen. Things suddenly changed when news arrived that the Cloze (21): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDI4JXUwMDFmJXUwMDAzJXUwMDA1JXUwMDBhJXUwMDA2 were close in on them. The robbers Cloze (22): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDM5JXUwMDAzJXUwMDAzJXUwMDBmJXUwMDBhJXUwMDBiJXUwMDAxJXUwMDBiJXUwMDAx the farm and remainder of their plan. In their careless haste to Cloze (23): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDNkJXUwMDE2JXUwMDEwJXUwMDAyJXUwMDExJXUwMDE1 , the criminals left finger prints everywhere, most notably on the monopoly Cloze (24): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDNmJXUwMDA2JXUwMDBjJXUwMDA4 .

The gang members fled to various parts of the Cloze (25): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDJmJXUwMDE4JXUwMDFkJXUwMDFlJXUwMDA4 . But in the end, all the robbers were eventually Cloze (26): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDM5JXUwMDExJXUwMDAwJXUwMDAyJXUwMDE3JXUwMDBkJXUwMDBkJXUwMDBiJXUwMDBhJXUwMDAxJXUwMDAx and convicted, with the exception of Biggs. He went on to live many Cloze (27): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDIxJXUwMDFjJXUwMDA0JXUwMDEzJXUwMDAx in Brazil, enjoying his money and international notoriety as the one member of the Great Train Robbers who actually Cloze (28): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDNkJXUwMDE2JXUwMDEwJXUwMDAyJXUwMDExJXUwMDE1JXUwMDAx . This was until May 2001, when he returned to England, only to be Cloze (29): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDM5JXUwMDEzJXUwMDAwJXUwMDE3JXUwMDE2JXUwMDA3JXUwMDExJXUwMDAx on arrival and forced to serve his original Cloze (30): policeworldunloadescapeinvitedabandonedapprehendedcommercialgameplayedresistanceHollywoodtraincollapsedworkingdrivingabilitiesyearssentencedisguisessignalsinvestigatearriveescapedarrestedluckyprofessionaholidaymoneyplan JXUwMDJiJXUwMDE2JXUwMDBiJXUwMDFhJXUwMDExJXUwMDBiJXUwMDBkJXUwMDA2 of 25 years in prison.