The Phantom Dozen on the Caledonian Express

≈ 4 min

Head Steward Archibald Munn has submitted a provisions stocktake for dining car No. 7 of the Caledonian Northern Railway following the seven-day Edinburgh–Inverness run ending 3 September 1927. The Railway Catering Superintendent uses these stocktakes to reconcile goods drawn from the Edinburgh Victualling Store against items returned unused, thereby confirming that all consumed provisions match ticket sales and service records. A discrepancy has been flagged during routine review, and you are asked to identify which line in Munn's stocktake cannot be reconciled against the supporting records.

The scene

Caledonian Northern Railway dining car service, Edinburgh to Inverness run, Scotland, 1927

Source documents

Edinburgh Victualling Store Issue Ledger, September 1927
Caledonian Northern Railway Seasonal Menu Card, Summer–Autumn 1927
Victualling Store Returns Receipt, 4 September 1927
Letter from Catering Superintendent R. Baird to Head Stewards, August 1927

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