Train robberies were more common in the past when trains were slower, and often occurred in the American Old West. Trains carrying payroll shipments were a major target. ... Famous train robbers include Butch Cassidy, Bill Miner and Jesse James.

How were trains robbed in the Old West?

Pinkerton encouraged the use of burglarproof safes in all railroad express cars. By using such a heavy safe, any outlaws intending to rob the train had to use a large charge of black powder or dynamite to blow it open.

How many train robberies were there in the Old West?

Between 1919 and 1924, they'd be responsible for a shocking 87 bank robberies and six train heists. The biggest happened on June 12, 1924, when the Newtons — along with a few Chicago gangsters and a crooked postal inspector — forced a mail train to stop in Rondout.