Texas Train Robberies

True Stories of Texas¿ Most Daring Train Robberies

During the late 1800s, the fast, powerful new ¿iron horse¿ was a sign of progress. Passengers spent only hours traversing distances that used to take days; drawn-out, toilsome cattle drives were replaced with fast, efficient cattle cars; and small outposts grew into thriving towns practically overnight.

But to another set of folks, trains represented another thing: easy money. Once banks and the U.S. Mail Service began to rely on trains for delivery of bills, coins, and other precious cargo, highwaymen quickly changed their focus from small-time stagecoach holdups to the big time, where one day¿s efforts could potentially net a fortune.

Some infamous personalities who made Texas railroads their targets include Frank and Jesse James, Butch Cassidy, Black Jack Ketchum, Sam Bass, Rube and Jim Burrow, and the Doolin Gang. Although most train robberies were successful, many outlaws miscalculated the power of their dynamite or passengers, often leading to unforeseen ends. Jump aboard and hang on for some of the wildest train rides ever taken in the Lone Star State!

W.C. Jameson is the award-winning author of more than 100 books. He is the bestselling treasure author in America, and his prominence as a professional fortune hunter has led to stints as a consultant for the Unsolved Mysteries television show, the Travel Channel, and the History Channel. He lives near Austin, Texas.