[locojoe]

I read this story and thought you might find it amusing.

Many years ago a mate of mine was driving "Target 18", Birkenhead
Docks - Ellesmere Port trip freight - unfitted. As they trundled
down from Hooton to Ellesmere Port they passed through what was
then "bomb alley" and to his surprise the local kids started taking
pot shots at them with air-guns - they reached Ellesmere Port yard
safe and sound.


The next day he was rostered the same turn and sure enough as they
trundled down the kids were there again, armed and taking aim - next
minute the kids scarper in all directions. Thinking the police must
have chased them the train trundled on into Ellesmere Port yard to
be met by a "fluorescent jam sandwich with flashing blue lights".

My mate jumps down, thinking the police had come to ask about the
kids, only to see the guard getting led away to the police car.

"What's up" he asks the copper, who explained that as the kids had
started taking pot shots at the train, the guard had - with his own
gun - returned fire and managed to wing a couple of them !!

The guard was left off with a warning (the kids injuries were
superficial) - strangely the train was never attacked again