The Greatest Train Robbery Was Off the Rails: How 15 Thieves Pulled Off the Biggest Heist Ever

The Great Gang of Robbers

Those criminals involved: Bruce Reynolds, Douglas Gordon “Goody,” Ronald “Buster” Edwards, Charlie Wilson, Ronnie Biggs, Roy James, Roger Cordrey, Tom Wisbey, Jim Hussey, Bob Welch, Brian Field, Leonard Field, Jimmy White, William Boal, and John Daly.

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The Great Train Robbers (from left): Roy James, Buster Edwards, Roger Cordery, Jimmy White, Gordon Goody, and Jimmy Hussey, at a Cambridge Union debate at Cambridge in 1978 Source: PA

Aside from the 15 thieves were their accomplices, known as Mr. One, Mr. Two and Mr. Three; “Peter” who was brought to drive the train; and John Wheater who held the safe house.

The gang became celebrities of England. But how did they pull it off? It all starts with a mastermind…

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