Great Train Robbery (1963) facts for kids
The Great Train Robbery was a famous train robbery that happened on August 8, 1963, in England. A group of robbers stopped a train near Bridego Railway Bridge in Ledburn, Buckinghamshire. They stole a huge amount of money, about £2.6 million! This was a massive sum back then. The gang was led by a man named Bruce Reynolds. Other well-known members included Buster Edwards, Brian Field, Charlie Wilson, Ronnie Biggs, and Gordon Goody.
Contents
What Was the Great Train Robbery?
The Great Train Robbery was a very carefully planned crime. The robbers targeted a Royal Mail train that was carrying a lot of money. Their goal was to stop the train and take the cash. This event became one of the most talked-about robberies in British history.
How the Robbery Happened
On the night of August 8, 1963, the gang tampered with the railway signals. They changed the green signal to red, which made the train stop in an unexpected place. Once the train stopped, the robbers boarded it. They quickly took control of the train and its crew. Their main target was the carriage carrying bags of money.
The Money Stolen
The robbers managed to get away with £2.6 million. To give you an idea of how much that was, it would be worth over £50 million today! They quickly unloaded the money bags from the train. After taking the money, they escaped to a nearby farmhouse. They planned to divide the money there.
The People Involved
The gang had many members, each with a role in the plan.
- Bruce Reynolds was seen as the leader of the group. He was the main planner behind the robbery.
- Ronnie Biggs became one of the most famous members because he escaped from prison later on.
- Buster Edwards was another key member of the gang.
- Other important members included Brian Field, Charlie Wilson, and Gordon Goody.
Images for kids
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View towards 'Sears Crossing' where the robbers took control of the train 51°53′23″N 0°40′23″W / 51.88972°N 0.67306°W
See also
In Spanish: Asalto al tren postal de Glasgow-Londres para niños
