Page 22 - All About History - Issue 08-14

Crime

How to

Train
ROB A TRAIN Train crew period, larger engines
While there were many
THE TRAIN
types of train during this
tended to be the ones that
were robbed the most
because of the valuables
The train crew would
typically consist of a driver, a
fireman and an expressman.
The expressman would be they were carrying.
THE WILD WEST, AMERICA, 1880 armed and guard the car.

The history of the Wild West was
ESSENTIAL lawlessness was a product of the perceived
punctuated by the tales of lawless
Speed
EQUIPMENT desperados breaking into banks and As trains could reach a top
holding up runaway trains. This
COLT REVOLVER speed far superior to horses
most robberies took place
USA, 1872 freedom from central authority in the while the train was not in
motion.
Popular among outlaws because western settlements of America and
of its reliability and stopping the vulnerable position of trains as they Express car
power, the Colt .45 was simple to travelled through open plains. Trains were Transport
operate and easy to maintain. a popular target because of the valuable The express car was where In the Wild West of the
the train’s valuables were
goods they carried, often from the rich held, including weapons and 1880s the railway network
MUSTANG HORSE East-coast cities to the Wild West. Saddle precious items locked away in established, connecting major
across America was being
USA, 1700’S up your horse and go make your fortune. on-board safes. towns and cities.
Strong, hardy and fast, the breed
of horse popularly known as the
‘mustang’ was used by lawman
and outlaw alike.
DYNAMITE
ENGLAND, 1867
This was revolutionary in the
Wild West as a portable form of
explosive, which could quickly
put a big hole in a solid object –
like a safe.
DISGUISES
WORLDWIDE, 19TH CENTURY
Train robbers and thieves in
general protected their identity
from law enforcement throughout
the period. Neckerchiefs to cover
the face were very popular.
Assemble a posse Get the right train
BOWIE KNIFE A train robber is only as good as the people around him The best trains to hold up are the payroll carriages
USA, 1830 01 acting as his posse. The robber needs people he can 02 running federal money to soldiers and federal
The bowie knife was popular trust, who don’t have too may moral scrupples and won’t get employees to the settlements of the Wild West. Find out when
among outlaws during this period
as a valuable tool and a weapon. greedy or sell their fellow desperados out to the authorities. the next payroll train departs by checking schedules and
It could be used for picking locks Butch Cassidy tended to work with his own gang of loyal listening in on conversations at local saloons, then plan how
and cutting through packages. friends – you’ll need people like that. you are going to intercept its route.

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