Spies Train

The long transcontinental train journey had gone from watching scenery fly past to watching the other passengers. They are a strange bunch and the uniformed railroad employees even more strange.

We have just had a sudden stop which wasn't on the schedule, and there seemed a lot of activity by the front of the train. Some of us tried to look out of the windows, but we were shouted at by the soldiers running up and down the track. The Conductor said it was some truck stuck on the crossing and these people were local police. Funny uniforms for local police.

The train shuddered and we started off again. Then these men dressed in black leather coats walked slowly down the train looking closely at every passenger. Funny they weren't on the platform when we left. I thought I saw one of them with a gun trying to open the toilet door. He quickly moved on when the frightened woman opened the door. The passenger next to me spoke English and warned me to be careful when we speak to the men in Black Leather coats.

There is more than meets the eye going on and the other passengers are getting very agitated. What is going on? Are we safe?

The Original Spies Train

We took a dinner theatre team, and with a new script based on suspense, intrigue and action packed drama, created the Spies Train. We found many short private scenic railways who enthusiastically joined with us in creating the themed entertainment.

On a desolate rail line the train is stopped, and uniformed guards demand the fleeing secret agent is handed over. Shots ring out, and the underground fighters blow up the guardhouse allowing the fleeing secret agent to escape. The Soviet or Gestapo (depending on which version) were thwarted, and the audiences loved it! In 1998 the diners loved the action packed scenario, and the vivid pyrotechnics. The local law enforcement gladly joined in the fun.

Sadly after 9/11, and the Bush Administration the fun went out of the Spies programs. Passers by who saw the action felt it their duty to report a terrorist attack. The realism did not impress the local law enforcement authorities and the thought of explosions anywhere sent shivers around City Halls.

The themed entertainment was put on hold until the nation became less paranoid.