
Chapter I. The beginning of things.
Chapter II. Peter's coal-mine.
Chapter III. The old gentleman.
Chapter IV. The engine-burglar.
Chapter V. Prisoners and captives.
Chapter VI. Saviours of the train.
Chapter VII. For valour.
Chapter VIII. The amateur firemen.
Chapter IX. The pride of Perks.
Chapter X. The terrible secret.
Three lively children enjoy a cozy life in a bright red‑brick villa, where their mother fills each day with stories, poems, and gentle games while their father, a kindly engineer, is often away on work. Roberta, the eldest, watches over her younger brothers Peter and Phyllis, and together they explore the comforts of their home—colourful glass doors, a well‑stocked nursery, and a loyal dog named James.
Their world is upended when a sudden illness forces Peter to stay in bed and a cherished model engine shatters in a burst of steam, leaving the family uneasy. With their father absent for weeks, the children must confront an unexpected change that drives them from the familiar comforts of their villa to a modest house by the railway line.
In their new surroundings, the siblings discover the rhythm of trains, the kindness of strangers, and the thrill of solving small mysteries along the tracks. Their imagination turns the railway into a playground, teaching them courage, teamwork, and the simple joy of turning hardship into adventure.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (322K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Les Bowler, and David Widger
Release date
Aug 1, 1999
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1924
Best known for blending everyday family life with sudden magic and adventure, this classic author helped shape modern children's fantasy. Her stories, including The Railway Children and Five Children and It, still feel lively, funny, and warmly human.
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