The Great Train Robbery

Factual error: A number of press photographers are present during the trial of the Great Train Robbers and they take a series of photographs of the opening proceedings. No photographer has ever been allowed in a British courtroom for any reason at any time, ever.

PEDAUNT

Factual error: When the two policemen enter the flat in Croydon to speak to Bruce Reynolds about a ladder leaning against the wall, they only have numbers on the shoulders of their police uniform. They would also have had a Z on there as part of Z division (Croydon) of the Met Police.

Factual error: In the opening sequence the subtitles say November 1962 but the getaway cars have A suffix plates which didn't come out until 1963.

Factual error: "Mind the gap" is written on the platform in the early scenes. The audible warning was first introduced in London in 1969, 6 years after the robbery. The written warnings were much later.

Factual error: In one of the final scenes inside the cafe of the second episode (filmed in the Olympus Cafe on New Market Street in Leeds), modern buses can be seen outside the window. These are mainly First Group Wrightbus Gemini 2 buses in First Group's latest livery since 2012. There is also the sign for "Royal Amusements" on the building opposite which didn't exist until the late 1990's at the very earliest.

ProductofLeeds

Factual error: In the scenes filmed outside the picture house (filmed outside The Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds), galvanised lampposts and high pressure sodium street lanterns which were only installed since 2007. Also, a West Yorkshire branded red and cream Metro bus shelter and bus stop flag can be seen in some of the scenes.

ProductofLeeds

Factual error: When the robbers are fixing the signal lamps they are using "Good Buddy" CB handsets which were not available until much later. (00:50:45)

stevecrask

Factual error: The robbers are using a series 3 Land Rover in 1963 which was first made in 1971. (00:46:30)

Factual error: British judges do not use and never have used gavels, as the judge uses at the robbers' trial.

Necrothesp

Factual error: A number of press photographers are present during the trial of the Great Train Robbers and they take a series of photographs of the opening proceedings. No photographer has ever been allowed in a British courtroom for any reason at any time, ever.

PEDAUNT

More mistakes in The Great Train Robbery

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