BBC Radio 4 LW

Runaway Train

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Factual: Life Stories

18/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Runaway Train

The amazing true story of Canadian railwayman Wesley McDonald and a runaway train.

The amazing true story of Canadian railwayman Wesley McDonald, featuring audio recording of the incident in 1987 when his train ran out of control with him still on board.

March 9th 1987 began as a normal day for railwayman Wesley MacDonald, as he loaded a train of 50 cars with ore at a mine in northern Canada. But that all changed when the brakes failed to hold the load and Wesley suddenly found himself aboard a runaway train. 

This programme tells the story of what happened next, featuring audio footage of the radio communication between him and the rail traffic controller as Wesley wrestles with the decision of whether to jump or take his chances onboard.

Producer: Russell Finch
A Somethin' Else Production for BBC Radio 4.

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