In this episode of Crime Time Inc., we delve into the legendary Great Train Robbery of 1963. Learn about the meticulous planning and audacious execution of the heist that targeted a Royal Mail train carrying £2.6 million from Glasgow to London. Discover how a gang of 15, led by Bruce Reynolds, orchestrated the robbery by tampering with railway signals and overpowering the crew without firearms. However, their near-perfect crime was marred by violence against train driver Jack Mills, and subsequent critical mistakes during their escape from Leather Slade Farm. The abandoned hideout became a forensic goldmine for the police, leading to the apprehension and conviction of most gang members. The episode also explores the social and cultural impact of the crime, the harsh sentences meted out, and the sensational prison escapes that followed, particularly Ronnie Biggs's escape that amplified his folk hero status. Uncover the unresolved mystery of the stolen loot, pondering the alluring, yet real, human cost of such criminal acts. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of this captivating case, and consider the broader implications of crime and punishment, both in the past and in today's advanced technological world.
00:00 Introduction to the Great Train Robbery
00:23 The Target: Royal Mail Train
01:01 Meticulous Planning by the Gang
01:33 Executing the Heist
02:05 The Human Cost: Jack Mills
03:08 The Escape Plan Unravels
06:01 The Police Investigation
08:35 The Trial and Sentencing
10:24 Infamous Prison Escapes
12:33 The Missing Loot
14:22 The Robbery's Legacy
15:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections
About Crime Time Inc.
Crime Time Inc. is hosted by Tom and Simon—two ex-cops with decades of frontline experience and zero tolerance for fluff. Tom, a by-the-book former Deputy Chief Constable from Edinburgh, and Simon, a rule-bending ex-undercover cop from Glasgow, bring sharp insight, dark humour, and plenty of East vs. West banter to every episode.
Whether they’re revisiting cases they worked on, grilling fellow former officers, or picking apart narrated true crime stories, Tom and Simon don’t just talk about crime—they’ve lived it. Real cases. Real cops. Real talk.
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