Spirit of America Bookstore

Railroads  in  Fiction
Books & Videos For Young Railfans

'Railroads in Fiction' Pages
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early railroad fiction
1925
1950
1980
top of page 2
2000
2010
recent & coming soon
                            

'Boy's Story of The Railroad' series, 1905-12

'Young Engineers' series, 1912-20

'The Little Engine That Could'

'Thomas the Tank Engine'

'Harry Potter' series

'Peter's Railway' series, 2009-16

'Ivor the Engine' TV series, 1959-64

Isaac ben Levi book series

other books, 1920-present


Spirit of America Bookstore's American Railroads Pages

Spirit of America Bookstore's Railroad Film Festival Pages

Spirit of America Bookstore's 'Non-Fiction Books About Railroads' Pages

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can . . ."

"Boys' Story of The Railroad" juvenile novels [1905-1912]
The great P. & O. Railroad stretches from the Atlantic seaboard on the east to the Mississippi River on the west, comprising, all told, some
four thousand miles of track. Each book contains six or seven glossy illustrations done by either John Goss, L.J. Bridgman, or A.P. Button.

The Young Section Hand novel by Burton E. Stevenson  "The Young Section Hand" [1905]
by Burton E. Stevenson [1872-1962], Illustrated by L.J. Bridgman [1857-1931]

L.C. Page & Co. hardcover [1905] long out of print/scarce
The Young Train Dispatcher 1907 novel by Burton E. Stevenson  "The Young Train Dispatcher" [1907] by Burton E. Stevenson [1872-1962]
Kindle Edition from Amazon Digital Services [9/2017] for $2.99
indep 11x8½ pb [10/2017] for $6.30
L.C. Page & Co. hardcover [1907] long out of print/scarce
The Young Train Master 1909 novel by Burton E. Stevenson  "The Young Train Master" [1909] by Burton E. Stevenson [1872-1962]
Kindle Edition from eInk Solutions [11/2017] for 99¢
CreateSpace 9x6 pb [11/2017] for $12.79
CreateSpace 9x6 pb [12/2017] for $12.99
L.C. Page & Co. hardcover [1909] long out of print/scarce
The Young Apprentice 1912 novel by Burton E. Stevenson   "The Young Apprentice" [1912]
by Burton E. Stevenson [1872-1962], Illustrated by L.J. Bridgman [1857-1931]

long out of print/scarce - no entry found at Amazon (2018)

"The Young Engineers" juvenile novels [1912-1920]
H. (for Harrie) Irving Hancock [1866?-1922] wrote dozens of juvenile novels and stories from about 1890 to 1920. Five of them featured the
Young Engineers, and two of the books are obviously railroad-oriented. The original publisher was Henry Altemus Co. of Philadelphia,
with series reprints by Saalfield Publishing Co. of Akron, Ohio. The plethora of pre-1928 public domain works being republished for
Kindle & Nook and on paper have made these books readily available. The six boys of Hancock's Grammar School Boys Series became
the athletes of the High School Boys Series, who then paired off as adults: Dick & Greg went to West Point, Dave & Dan to Annapolis,
while Tom Reade & Harry Hazelton trained to become civil engineers and then headed Out West.

The Young Engineers in Colorado / At Railroad Building in Earnest novel by H. Irving Hancock  "The Young Engineers In Colorado: or, At Railroad Building In Earnest"
[Altemus/Saalfield 1912 = #1]

Kindle Edition from Amazon Digital Services [1/2012] for FREE {sic}
CreateSpace 9x6 pb [8/2013] for $6.64
Dodo Press 9x6 pb [3/2007] for $9.89
Bibliographical Center for Research 9¾x7 hardcover [12/2009] for $29.69
Saalfield Publng hardcover [1912 original] out of print/used
Altemus 7½x5 hardcover [1912 original] out of print/used
The Young Engineers in Arizona / Laying Tracks on the Man-killer Quicksand novel by H. Irving Hancock  "The Young Engineers In Arizona: or, Laying Tracks On The Man-Killer
Quicksand" [Altemus/Saalfield 1912 = #2]

Kindle Edition from Amazon Digital Services [12/2012] for FREE {sic}
Kindle Edition from Library of Alexandria [12/2012] for $2.99
CreateSpace 9x6 pb [8/2013] for $6.64
Aeterna Books pb [2/2011] for $9.89
Kessinger Publng 9x7½ pb [9/2010] for $15.80
Kessinger Publng 9¾x7 hardcover [9/2010] for $26.60
Saalfield Publng hardcover [1912 original] out of print/used
Altemus 7½x5 hardcover [1912 original] out of print/used

The Young Engineers in Nevada / Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a Pick novel by H. Irving Hancock  "The Young Engineers In Nevada: or, Seeking Fortune On The Turn
of A Pick" [Altemus/Saalfield 1913 = #3]

Kindle Edition from Amazon Digital Services [5/2012] for FREE {sic}
CreateSpace 9x6 pb [8/2013] for $6.64
Dodo Press 9x6 pb [3/2007] for $9.89
Saalfield Publng hardcover [1913 original] out of print/used
Altemus 7½x5 hardcover [1913 original] out of print/used
The Young Engineers in Mexico / Fighting the Mine Swindlers novel by H. Irving Hancock  "The Young Engineers In Mexico: or, Fighting The Mine Swindlers"
[Altemus/Saalfield 1913 = #4]

Kindle Edition from Amazon Digital Services [5/2012] for FREE {sic}
CreateSpace 9x6 pb [8/2013] for $6.64
Kessinger Publng 9x6 hardcover [9/2010] for $30.92
The Young Engineers on the Gulf / Dread Mystery of the Million Dollar Breakwater novel by H. Irving Hancock  "The Young Engineers On The Gulf: or, The Dread Mystery of The
Million Dollar Breakwater" [Altemus/Saalfield 1920 = #5]

Kindle Edition from Amazon Digital Services [5/2012] for FREE {sic}
CreateSpace 9x6 pb [8/2013] for $6.64
BiblioLife 9x6 hardcover [8/2008] for $24.29
Saalfield Publng hardcover [1920 original] out of print/used


"The Little Engine That Could" children's books
The story of the positive-thinking little blue engine appeared in various magazines and story anthologies beginning in 1906. A different version under the title "The Pony Engine" appeared in a magazine for children in 1916 as written by Mabel C. Bragg, a teacher. The story first appeared under the title "The Little Engine That Could" in 1920 in a set of books that was sold door-to-door in the U.S.; the story was labeled 'As told by Olive Beaupré Miller'. The best-known version was published in 1930 by New York City publishing firm Platt & Munk ('Watty Piper' was the pseudonym of publisher Arnold Munk [?-1957]); Munk personally hired Lois Lenski to illustrate the book. Platt & Munk published a slightly-revised version in 1954 with new illustrations by George & Doris Hauman; another slightly-revised version was published in 1976 featuring art by Ruth Sanderson. The classic children's story was adapted in 1991 as a 30-minute animated film produced in Wales, and again in March 2011 as a 3-D animated video release produced by Universal Studios.
book entry at Wikipedia

The Little Engine That Could children's book by Watty Piper  "The Little Engine That Could" [ages 4-8; Platt & Munk 1930]  PURPLE CHECK: listed on Amazon Editors '100 Children's Books To Read In A Lifetime' in August 2014
by {pseudonym} Watty Piper, Illustrated by Lois Lenski

Grosset & Dunlap 4¼x4¾ mini-hardcover [8/90] for $4.49
Grosset & Dunlap 7¼x8¼ hardcover [3/78] for $8.09
Grosset & Dunlap 9x9½ hardcover [8/90] for $13.98
Little Engine That Could color cartoon short  "The Little Engine That Could" [Coronet Educational Films 1963]
ten-minute color cartoon short based on the children's book; no info at either IMDb or Wikipedia
watch full cartoon [10:14] online at Internet Archive
The Little Engine That Could and the Big Chase children's book by Michaela Muntean & Florence Graham  "The Little Engine That Could™ and The Big Chase" [ages 4-8; 1988]
by Michaela Muntean, Illustrated by Florence Graham

Grosset & Dunlap 8x7½ pb [8/88] out of print/90+ used
Sagebrush Education Resources hardcover [8/88] out of print/used
The Little Engine That Could 1991 animated short  "The Little Engine That Could" animated short [Universal Studios video release 1991]
"The Thrilling Animated Adaptation of The Cherished Children's Classic" 30-minute color animated film co‑produced & directed by Dave Edwards; screenplay by Ray Rhamey, based on the Watty Piper book
DVD/Blu-ray not available • MCA Home Video color VHS [9/96] for $22.92
full credits at IMDbmovie entry at Wikipedia
The Little Engine That Could and the Snowy Blowy Christmas children's book by Watty Piper & Cristina Ong<  "The Little Engine That Could™ and The Snowy, Blowy Christmas" [ages 4-8; 1998] Based on the original story by Watty Piper, Illustrated by Cristina Ong
Platt & Munk/Grosset & Dunlap 7x6¾ pb [10/98] out of print/80+ used
Platt & Munk/Grosset & Dunlap hardcover [2005] out of print/used
Platt & Munk 8x8½ hardcover [2005] out of print/used
The Little Engine That Could Storybook Treasury book by Watty Piper & Cristina Ong  "The Little Engine That Could™ Storybook Treasury" [7 stories for ages 2-8; 2003]
Based on original stories by Watty Piper, Illustrated by Cristina Ong

Grosset & Dunlap 8x7½ pb [4/2003] out of print/40+ used
The Little Engine That Could Gets a Checkup children's book by Watty Piper & Francesc Mateu  "The Little Engine That Could™ Gets A Checkup" [ages 3-6; 2003]
Based on the original story by Watty Piper, Written by Monique Z. Stephens; Illustrated by Francesc Mateu

Grosset & Dunlap 8x7½ pb [7/2003] out of print/used
The Little Engine That Could Goes on a Class Trip book by Watty Piper & Jose Maria Cardona  "The Little Engine That Could™ Goes On A Class Trip" [ages 3-6; 2003]
Based on the original story by Watty Piper, Written by Monique Z. Stephens; Illustrated by Jose Maria Cardona

Platt & Munk/Grosset & Dunlap pb [7/2003] out of print/60+ used
Scholastic/Weekly Reader 8x8 hardcover with Read-Along CD [2007] out of print/used
The Little Engine That Could 2011 animated feature  "The Little Engine That Could" animated feature
[Universal Animation Studios video release March 2011]

82-minute CGI-animated feature directed by Elliot M. Bour; voice actors include Jeff Bennett, Corbin Bleu, Jodi Benson, Jim Cummings, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chelsea Evered, Whoopi Goldberg, Rodney Saulsberry, Khamani Griffin, Suzy Nakamura, Ray Porter, Michael S. Garcia, Charlie Schlatter, Brenda Song, Alyson Stoner, Patrick Warburton, Glenn Shadix, Chelsea Evered, Dominic Scott Kay, Mocean Melvin, Ayn Olivia Vaughan
Universal Studios widescreen color DVD [3/2011] for $3.99
full credits at IMDbmovie entry at Wikipedia
Little Engine That Could Mini Edition book by Watty Piper  
"The Little Engine That Could: A Mini Edition" [ages 3-7; 2020] by Watty Piper
Grosset & Dunlap Special Anniversary Edition 4¼x4¾ hardcover [9/2020] for $4.99

basic logo for 'Thomas & Friends' merchandise
Spirit of America Bookstore's
"Thomas the Tank Engine" Books [est. 1945] & Toys & TV Pages

top of page 1synopsis & historythe booksthe authorsbusiness entitiesother medialinks

top of page 2movies & videosprincipal charactersimage gallery

top of page 3non-series TVTV series

"Harry Potter" Books [1997-2007] & Movies [2001-11] Page
at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store

The "Harry Potter" stories each contain at least minimal railroad elements, if only use of Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station in London. Longer episodes about
the Hogwarts Express train include: Harry's first trip to Hogwarts in "Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone"; the 'incident on the train' in "Harry Potter and
The Prisoner of Azkaban"; and Fred and George's flying car chasing after the Hogwarts Express train in "Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets".

the train to Hogwarts

"Peter's Railway" children's book series [2009-2016]
Peter is a young boy who lives with his family in a cottage at the edge of his Grandpa's farm. It is a long way by road between their two houses and Grandpa
does not own a car, so to make visiting each other easier, they build a miniature steam railway. There are so far 5 books in the main series, for ages 6-12 years (and to 90 years!).
The ten 'Little Peter's Railway' books are aimed at younger readers (3-6 years) • official booksite • no entry at Wikipedia

Peter's Railway book #1 by Christopher G.C. Vine   "Peter's Railway: A New Railway, Stories From The Old Railways, and How‑it‑works Pages" [#1 = 2008]
by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle

self-publd 6¾x9½ hardcover [5/2008] out of print/many used
self-publd 6¾x9½ hardcover [5/2008] out of print/used
self-publd 6¾x9½ hardcover [5/2008] out of print/used

Peter's Railway book #2 by Christopher G.C. Vine   "Peter's Railway and The Moonlight Express" [#2 = 2009]
by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle

self-publd 6¾x9½ hardcover [4/2009] out of print/used
Peter's Railway book #3 by Christopher G.C. Vine   "Peter's Railway and The Forgotten Engine" [#3 = 2009]
by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle

self-publd 6¾x9½ hardcover [10/2009] out of print/used
Peter's Railway book #4 by Christopher G.C. Vine   "Peter's Railway To the Rescue" [#4 = 2010]
by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle

self-publd 6¾x9½ hardcover [6/2010] out of print/used
Peter's Railway book #5 by Christopher G.C. Vine   "Peter's Railway Hits The Jackpot" [#5 = 2013]
by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle

self-publd 6¾x9½ hardcover [7/2013] out of print/used

Little Peter's Railway Christmas Steam book by Christopher Vine   "Little Peter's Railway: Christmas Steam" [2011]
by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle

self-publd 5½x6 pb [6/2011] out of print/used
Little Peter's Railway Surprise Goods book by Christopher Vine   "Little Peter's Railway: Surprise Goods" [2011]
by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle

self-publd 5½x6 pb [7/2011] out of print/used
Little Peter's Railway A Bit of Energy book by Christopher Vine  "Little Peter's Railway: A Bit of Energy" [2011]
by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle

self-publd 5½x6 pb [8/2011] for $6.75
Little Peter's Railway A Bit of Energy book by Christopher Vine  "Little Peter's Railway: A Dark and Stormy Night" [2011]
by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle

self-publd 5½x6 pb [9/2011] out of print/many used


"Ivor The Engine" children's TV series [1959-64]
The old-fashioned Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited railway is located in the upper lefthand corner of Wales; Ivor is a green 0-4-0PT tank engine and
Edwin Jones is the driver. The original animated series consisted of 32 b&w ten-minute short films of three seasons, shown on Associated-Rediffusion Television and elsewhere
from 1959 to 1964; a series of children's books were published in the 1960s & 1970s; many of the original stories were remade as 40 five-minute color short films broadcast
over BBC-TV & BBC Wales from 1975 to 1977. The color series was rebroadcast from 2005.
browse books at Oliver Postgate Store at AmazonOliver Postgate credits at IMDb
search for books by Peter Firmin {returns 170+ items} at AmazonPeter Firmin credits at IMDb

Animator Richard Oliver Postgate [1925-2008] set up the Smallfilms Company in 1958 in a cowshed at illustrator Peter Firmin's
home in Kent; the company is most famous for the "Bagpuss" [1974] children's stories.
official company websitecompany entry at Wikipedia

Ivor The Engine and Smallfilms docufilm from BBC Wales  "Ivor The Engine and The Story of Smallfilms" [BBC4 & BBC-TV Wales 2005]
half-hour color TV documentary produced & directed by Phillip Moss, narrated by Bernard Cribbins, featuring Peter Firmin, Oliver Postgate, Ivor The Engine, Bagpuss, and The Clangers
Region 1 Blu-ray/DVD not available • full credits at IMDb
watch full short film [6/2015 upload; 24:12] online at YouTube
Art of Smallfilms book edited by Jonny Truck & Richard Embray  "The Art of Smallfilms: The Work of Oliver Postgate & Peter Firmin" [2015]
Edited by Jonny Truck & Richard Embray, Introduction by Stewart Lee, Foreword by Daniel Postgate

Four Corners Books 11¼x10½ hardcover [2/2015] for $16.74
Four Corners Books 11¼x10½ hardcover [2/2015] out of print/used
'Ivor The Engine' entry at Wikipedia

Ivor The Engine 1959-64 animated b&w British TV series  "Ivor The Engine" animated b&w TV series [Smallfilms 1959-64]
32 ten-minute b&w episodes co-produced, co-written & co-directed by
Peter Firmin & Oliver Postgate
Region 1 Blu-ray/DVD not available • credits at IMDb
Ivor The Engine 1975-77 animated color British TV series   "Ivor The Engine" animated color TV series [Smallfilms 1975-77]
40 five-minute color episodes co-produced, co-written & co-directed by
Peter Firmin & Oliver Postgate
Region 1 Blu-ray/DVD not available • full credits at IMDb

YouTube playlist of 'Ivor The Engine' - 23 color episodes, 6 b&w [upload 6/2014]
watch color episode 1 [8/2006 upload; 4:56] on YouTube
watch color episode 8 "The Lost Engine" [3/2008 upload;8:56] on YouTube
watch color episode 20 "Snowdrifts" [2/2008 upload; 9:14] on YouTube

Six Ivor The Engine story books based upon the TV series were published by Abelard Schuman beginning in 1962 and were reprinted in 1994 & 2006.

Ivor The Engine First Story book by Oliver Postgate & Peter Firmin  

Ivor The Engine Snowdrifts book by Oliver Postgate & Peter Firmin  
"Ivor The Engine: The First Story" [1977]
Severnside Wholesalers Ltd. [3/2006] out of print/used
Picture Lions 8x5¾ pb [3/77] out of print/used
Gomer Press hardcover [12/96] out of print/used
"Ivor The Engine: Snowdrifts" [1977]
Severnside Wholesalers Ltd. 8x6¼ pb [3/2006] out of print/used
Picture Lions 8x6 pb [3/77] out of print/used
Diamond Books 9x6½ hardcover [1994] out of print/used
"Ivor The Engine Annual 1978" [1977]
Stafford Pemberton Publng hardcover [1977] out of print/used
"Ivor The Engine and The Dragon" [1978]
Severnside Wholesalers Ltd. 8x6¼ pb [8/2006] for $11.26
Picture Lions 8x6 pb [12/78] out of print/used
Pont Books 8½x6½ hardcover [1996] out of print/used
"Ivor The Engine and The Elephant" [1978]
Picture Lions 8x6 pb [12/78] out of print/used
Diamond Books 8½x6½ hardcover [1994] out of print/used
"Ivor The Engine and The Foxes" [1982]
Picture Lions 8¼x6 pb [10/82] out of print/used
Collins 8x6 pb [10/82] out of print/used
"Ivor The Engine: Ivor's Birthday" [1984]
Severnside Wholesalers Ltd. 8x6 pb [11/2007] out of print/used
Picture Lions 8¼x6 pb [5/84] out of print/used
Ivor the Engine Storybook by Oliver Postgate & Peter Firmin  
"Ivor The Engine Storybook" [July 1986]
by Oliver Postgate & Peter Firmin

possibly a red-cover volume and a green-cover volume; in any case,
neither is available on Amazon USA or UK


Ivor The Engine Board Game by Tony Boydell  
"Ivor The Engine Board Game" [2016] Designed by Tony Boydell
Surprised Stare Games board game in 10½x10½x2½-inch box [8/2016] for $51.22
Contains sheep; 3 to 5 players ages 8 & up; 60 minute playing time


Isaac ben Levi's "Great Railroad Series" children's books
The seven books (as-of 2020) tell stories of the fictitious Ozark Mountain Railroad; author is recently in high school, books are illustrated by several artists.
{ There was a proposal in 1993 for an Ozark Mountain Railroad - from Arkansas to Branson, Missouri - but it was not built: news article from August 1993 }
browse booksofficial booksite • no author/book entry at Wikipedia

Our First Locomotive children's book by Isaac ben Levi  "Our First Locomotive - Book #1" [3/2018]
Illustrated by Daniela Lucia

Locomotive Andrew is saved from the scrap pile and has many new adventures . . .
28-page Kindle Edition from Living Tree Press [3/2018] for $2.99
28-page Living Tree Press 11x8½ pb [3/2018] for $9.95
Old Reliable Locomotives children's book by Isaac ben Levi  "Old Reliable Locomotives - Book #2" [2018]
Illustrated by Daniela Lucia

The railroad is growing and locomotive Andrew is joined by new (old) friends . . .
30-page Kindle Edition from Living Tree Press [5/2018] for $2.99
30-page Living Tree Press 11x8½ pb [5/2018] for $9.95
The Turbine Locomotive children's book by Isaac ben Levi  "The Turbine Locomotive - Book #3" [2018]
Illustrated by Ani Barmashi

Locomotive #6200 was a failed experiment on the Pennsylvania Railroad and has been sitting in an Ohio junkyard for many years; when a diesel arrives to take him away, it is not to be scrapped, but to join Andrew on the Ozark Mountain Railroad . . .
40-page Kindle Edition from Living Tree Press [8/2018] for $2.99
30-page Living Tree Press 11x8½ pb [8/2018] for $9.95
Ozark Mountain Motorcars children's book by Isaac ben Levi  "Ozark Mountain Motorcars - Book #4" [2019]
Illustrated by Ani Barmashi

The Ozark Mountain Railroad needs another locomotive but can't afford one; then somebody remembers the Blue Geese gasoline railroad motorcars . . .
43-page Kindle Edition from Living Tree Press [1/2019] for $2.99
29-page Living Tree Press 11x8½ pb [1/2019] for $9.95
Laying New Tracks children's book by Isaac ben Levi  "Laying New Tracks - Book #5" [2019]
Illustrated by Ani Barmashi

The building of the new branch line to Theodosia . . .
43-page Kindle Edition from Living Tree Press [11/2019] for $2.99
Happy Engines Back To Work children's book by Isaac ben Levi  "Happy Engines: Back To Work" [LGRS #1 = 2018]
Illustrated by Daniela Lucia

Andrew, locomotive #1 of the Ozark Mountain Railroad, remembers arriving to the little railroad and making friends along the way . . .
24-page Kindle Edition from Living Tree Press [7/2018] for $2.99
24-page Living Tree Press 8½x8½ pb [7/2018] for $9.95
Busy Engines Hauling Trains children's book by Isaac ben Levi  "Busy Engines: Hauling Trains" [LGRS #2 = 2019]
Illustrated by Daniela Lucia

The expanded Ozark Mountain Railroad is very busy, with many locomotives at work . . .
24-page Kindle Edition from Living Tree Press [1/2019] for $2.99
24-page Living Tree Press 8½x8½ pb [1/2019] for $9.95

The Boys' Book of Railroads 1921 book by Irving Crump  "The Boys' Book of Railroads" [1921] by Irving Crump [1887-1979]
Forgotten Books 9x6 pb [7/2016] for $13.57
Wentworth Press 9¼x6 pb [8/2016] for $16.95
Wentworth Press 9¼x6 hardcover [8/2016] for $26.95
Wentworth Press 9¼x6 hardcover [12/2017] for $30.02

1921 edition available as free online flip-book at Internet Archive

The Little Train children's book by Lois Lenski  "The Little Train" [ages 3-7; Oxford Univ Press 1940]
Written & Illustrated by Lois Lenski

Series character Mr. Small is the engineer on a trip by train from Tinytown to the Big City and back, encountering tunnels and stations and passengers and freight.
Scholastic 6½x8 pb [2001] out of print/many used
Random House BFYR 7x8½ hardcover [8/2000] for $10.82
Random House Childrens Books hardcover [9/60] out of print/used

Tootle children's book by Gertrude Crampton & Tibor Gergely  "Tootle" [ages 3-6; 1945] by Gertrude Crampton, Illustrated by Tibor Gergely
listed by Publishers Weekly as #3 All-time Bestselling Hardcover Children's Book (2001); baby locomotive Tootle goes to school to learn the skills needed to become a Flyer on the railroad; but his practice runs are easily diverted, by a horse challenging Tootle in a race to the river and by the fun of playing in a meadow of buttercups; teacher Bill and the townspeople intervene and Tootle learns to Stay On The Tracks No Matter What.
Kindle Edition from Random House/Golden Books [8/2010] for $3.41
Golden Books/Western Publng pb [1973] out of print/used
Little Golden Book Classics 8x6½ hardcover [2/2001] for $3.59 {sic}

Little Train That Saved The Day children's book by Charlotte Stein & Rhonda Voo  "The Little Train That Saved The Day" [1947]
by Charlotte Stein, Illustrated by Rhonda Voo

Price Stern Sloan pb [10/91] out of print/used
Giant Wonderbooks hardcover [10/89] out of print/used
Wonder Books 8x6½ hardcover [1952] out of print/used
Wonder Books hardcover [1952] out of print/used
Forgotten Little Train children's book by Sally Fabry  
"The Forgotten Little Train" [1951] by Sally Fabry
"A story for boys and girls who love trains and like to ride on them, and especially for those who like little trains"
Whitman Publng Co. 8x7½ hardcover [1951] out of print/used
Forest of Boland Light Railway book by 'B.B.' & Denys Watkins-Pitchford  "The Forest of Boland Light Railway" [1955]
Written {as 'B.B.'} and Illustrated by Denys Watkins-Pitchford [1905-90]

Forest-dwelling gnomes build a steam railway to aid their mining activities while fending off evil leprechauns; interspecies tension builds until gnome Sneezerod must step forward to save his people; book aka "The Forest of The Railway"
Knight Books mass pb [1976] out of print/used
Hodder Children's Books 8x5½ hardcover [7/84] out of print/used
Dodd, Mead & Co. hardcover [1976] out of print/used
Eyre & Spottiswoode hardcover [1955] out of print/used
Antique Locomotives Coloring Book by Tre Tryckare Company  
"Antique Locomotives Coloring Book" [ages 6-14; 1971]
by The Tre Tryckare Company

Dover Publns 11x8¼ pb [6/76] for $4.99
The Famous Five Haunted Railway Game  "The Haunted Railway Game: Based On Enid Blyton's Five Go Off To Camp" [1984]
Designed by Stephen Thraves

'The exciting adventure game story (book)' includes map, dice, and measure & lunchbox & picnic
& code book & torch (flashlight) cards

Hodder & Stoughton Childrens Division pb [10/84] out of prodn/used
'The Banshee Train' children's book  "The Banshee Train" [ages 5-8; 1995] by 'Odds Bodkin', Illustrated by Ted Rose
On a foggy night and with reports of flooding ahead, the engineer and fireman of Train Number One speed toward dangerous Gore Canyon Trestle, effectively blind.
Sandpiper 8x9¾ pb [9/96] out of print/used
Clarion Books 8¼x10½ hardcover [4/95] out of print/many used
Peacebound Trains children's book by Haemi Balgassi & Chris K. Soentpiet  "Peacebound Trains" [ages 8-12 {Lexile Measure 620L}; 1996]
by Haemi Balgassi, Illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet

Sumi's grandmother tells her of the family's escape from the Chinese army in 1950 Korea.
Kindle Edition from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt [2000 edition] for $5.35
HMH Books for Young Readers 9x7¼ pb [3/2000] out of print/many used
Clarion Books 9¼x8 hardcover [8/96] out of print/many used

Choo-Choo Charlie Littletown Train children's book by Michael Welply  
"Choo-Choo Charlie: The Littletown Train - A Pop-up Play Village with A Wind-up Toy Train!" [ages 3 & up; 1997] by Michael Welply
Andrews McMeel Publng 11½x9¼ hardcover [10/97] out of print/used
Woolly Stops the Train children's book by Heather Amery & Stephen Cartwright  "Woolly Stops The Train (Usborne Farmyard Tales)" [ages 4 & up; 1999]
by Heather Amery, Illustrated by Stephen Cartwright

Poppy and Sam discover the newly-restored Apple Tree Station and its steam train.
Usborne Publng Ltd. 8¼x8¼ pb [2004] out of print/60+ used
Usborne Publng Ltd. 6x6 pb [1/2005] out of print/60+ used
Usborne Publng Ltd. 8x5½ hardcover [4/2016] out of print/many used
The Old Steam Train children's book by Heather Amery & Stephen Cartwright  "The Old Steam Train (Usborne Farmyard Tales)" [ages 2-6; 1999]
by Heather Amery, Illustrated by Stephen Cartwright

Poppy and Sam can't wait to ride on the newly-restored steam train.
Usborne Publng Ltd. 7x7¼ pb [12/99] out of print/used
Usborne Publng Ltd. 7¼x7¼ hardcover [5/99] out of print/used
Usborne Publng Ltd. 7¾x5½ hardcover [1999] out of print/used
Rusty's Train Ride children's book by Heather Amery & Stephen Cartwright  "Rusty's Train Ride (Usborne Farmyard Tales)" [ages 4 & up; 1999]
by Heather Amery, Illustrated by Stephen Cartwright

Mop the Puppy gets left behind on the steam train. Can Rusty the Dog save the day?
Includes puzzles at the end

Usborne Publng Ltd. 6x6 pb [2013] out of print/60+ used
Usborne Publng Ltd. 5½x5 hardcover [7/2016] out of print/many used
Usborne Publng Ltd. 7x7 pb [12/99] out of print/many used
Dolly and the Train children's book by Heather Amery & Stephen Cartwright  "Dolly and The Train (Usborne Farmyard Tales)" [ages 4 & up; 1999]
by Heather Amery, Illustrated by Stephen Cartwright

Dolly the Cart Horse saves the day.
Usborne Publng Ltd. 7x7 pb [1/2000] out of print/used
Usborne Publng Ltd. 8x5½ hardcover [4/2017] for $8.36
Train Stories children's book by Heather Amery & Stephen Cartwright  "Train Stories (Usborne Farmyard Tales)" four books in one [1999]
Usborne Publng Ltd. pb & read-along cassette [9/2000] out of print/used
Usborne Publng Ltd. hardcover [12/99] out of print/40+ used
"The Little Book of Train Stories" [2002]
Usborne Publng Ltd. 6x6 hardcover & read-along audio CD [1/2011] out of print/used
I Dream of Trains children's book by Angela Johnson & Loren Long  "I Dream of Trains" [ages 5 & up; 2003]
by Angela Johnson, Illustrated by Loren Long

book won Golden Kite Award from S.C.B.W.I.
Simon & Schuster BFYR 9¾x11½ hardcover [9/2003] for $14.49
Hear that Train Whistle Blow / How the Railroad Changed the World book by Milton Meltzer  "Hear That Train Whistle Blow! How The Railroad Changed The World"
[ages 11 & up; 2004] by Milton Meltzer

Random House YR/Landmark 9¼x8 pb [10/2005] out of print/used
Random House YR/Landmark 9¼x8 library hardcover [10/2004] out of print/used
Random House YR/Landmark 9½x8¼ hardcover [10/2004] out of print/used
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo Choo Express book  "Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo Choo Express - Lift-The-Flap"
[ages 3-5 years; 2009]

An exciting lift-the-flap, sticker-and-activity adventure; it’s a super hot day and Mickey and his friends want to bring Professor Von Drake’s amazing non-melting snow back to the Clubhouse; with Choo Choo’s help and a couple of handy Mousketools, they’ll be set for some cool clubhouse fun!
24-page Studio Fun International 8x8 board book [3/2020] for $5.99
24-page Disney Press 4x4½ mini-boardbook [9/2009] for $14.96
16-page Disney Press LTF Edition 8x8 board book [9/2009] for $3.95
Disney Press LTF Edition 8x8 board book [9/2009] out of print/used

The Last Train children's book by Gordon M. Titcomb & Wendell Minor  "The Last Train" [ages 3-8; 2010]
Based on a song by Gordon M. Titcomb, with lovely paintings by Wendell Minor

Kindle Edition from Roaring Brook Press [9/2010] for $9.99
Roaring Brook Press 10x10¼ hardcover [9/2010] for $14.54
Live Oak Media 10½x10½ hardcover with music CD [9/2010] for $28.95
Rising Son Records music CD [6/2005] 10 tracks - out of prodn/used
Trains National Geographic Reader book by Amy Shields  "National Geographic Kids: Trains" [ages 4-6; 2011]
by Amy Shields

Kindle Edition from National Geographic Kids [7/2012] for $3.41
National Geographic Kids 9x6 pb [4/2011] for $3.59 {sic}
National Geographic Kids 9¼x6¼ library hardcover [4/2011] for $12.51
All About America Stagecoaches & Railroads book by Sally Senzell Isaacs   "All About America: Stagecoaches and Railroads" [grades 4-6; 2012]
by Sally Senzell Isaacs

one reviewer describes the book as 'a history of Westward expansion'
Kingfisher 10½x8¼ pb [1/2012] for $7.19
Kingfisher 10¾x8½ library hardcover [1/2012] for $26.38
Steam Train, Dream Train children's book by Sherri Duskey Rinker & Tom Lichtenheld  "Steam Train, Dream Train" [ages 4-6; 2013]
by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Kindle Edition from Chronicle Books [4/2013] for $8.51
Chronicle Books 9¾x10¼ hardcover [4/2013] for $12.68
See Inside Trains book by Emily Bone & Colin King  "See Inside Trains" [2013] by Emily Bone, Illustrated by Colin King
with over 60 flaps to lift
Usborne Flap Books 11x8¾ hardcover [6/2013] out of print/used
Locomotive children's book by Brian Floca  "Locomotive" [2013] Written & Illustrated by Brian Floca
Not exactly fiction, more like a travelogue or documentary story for children – in blank verse; author's drawings and text are full of information, from how the Transcontinental Railroad was built to the machinery of the locomotive, and the changes in landscape speeding by outside the coach windows across America in 1869.
Kindle Edition from Simon & Schuster Digital Sales [9/2013] for $11.04
Atheneum/Richard Jackson 11¾x10½ hardcover [9/2013] for $12.95
How to Train a Train book by Jason Carter Eaton & John Rocco  
"How To Train A Train" [ages 4-8; 2013]
Written by Jason Carter Eaton, Illustrated by John Rocco

Candlewick Press 12x10 hardcover [9/2013] for $12.60
'Train' book by Elisha Cooper  "Train" [ages 4-8; 2013] Written & Illustrated by Elisha Cooper
Scholastic/Orchard 9x12 hardcover [9/2013] for $14.49
Young Explorers and the Phantom Express book by S.T. Cameron  "Young Explorers and The Phantom Express" [2013] by S.T. Cameron
Circa 1920; the Young Explorers tag along with their archeologist parents who plan to locate artifacts from a steam train that crashed off a bridge in the 1880s; they soon discover that the nearby town is haunted by years of continued repetitions of the tragic event; clues seem to include a gold pocket watch, an unused ticket for the doomed train, and a missing member of the Old West gang that caused the train to crash
Kindle Edition from Bakaloo Press [12/2013] for $3.99
Bakaloo Press 8x5 pb [12/2013] for $9.99
The Boundless book by Kenneth Oppel  "The Boundless" [ages 8-12; 2014] by Kenneth Oppel
Young Will Everett had always wished for an adventure, but he wasn't expecting it to start the moment that he boarded 'The Boundless', the largest and most magnificent train ever built.
Kindle Edition from Simon & Schuster Digital Sales [4/2014] for $6.99
Simon & Schuster BFYR 7½x5 pb [5/2015] for $6.41
Simon & Schuster BFYR 8¼x5½ hardcover [4/2014] for $11.89
Simon & Schuster BFYR hardcover [4/2014] out of print/used
Simon & Schuster BFYR hardcover [4/2014] out of print/used
Pullman Hilton Christmas Mystery book by Charlie Ryan  
"The Pullman Hilton: A Christmas Mystery" [ages 12-18; 2015]
by Charlie Ryan

Author grew up on Maple Street in Keyser, West Virginia - the setting for this novel of seven kids who find adventure and danger at the local railroad passenger car salvage yard.
Kindle Edition from Single Star [1/2015] for $6.99
Look Inside Trains book by Alex Frith & Colin King  "Look Inside Trains" [2015] by Alex Frith, Illustrated by Colin King
with over 50 flaps to lift
Usborne Flap Books 9x7¾ pb [4/2015] out of print/used
My Little Square Book / All About Trains / Steam Locomotives children's book by Bob Shepherd  "My Little Square Book" series - "All About Trains" by Bob Shepherd
Volume 1: "Steam Locomotives" [2015]
CreateSpace 8½x8½ pb [5/2015] for $12.95
Volume 2: "Steam Locomotive Tender Cars" [2015]
CreateSpace 8½x8½ pb [6/2015] for $12.95
Volume 3: "Railroad Box Cars" [2015]
CreateSpace 8½x8½ pb [6/2015] for $12.95
Volume 4: "Coal Cars" [2015]
CreateSpace 8½x8½ pb [8/2015] for $12.95
Volume 5: "Tank Cars" [2015]
CreateSpace 8½x8½ pb [9/2015] for $12.95
Volume 6: "Cabooses" [2015]
CreateSpace 8½x8½ pb [9/2015] for $12.95
Choo-Choo Charlie Presents Steam Locomotives book by Bob Shepherd  
"Choo-Choo Charlie Presents: Steam Locomotives" [2016]
by Bob Shepherd

interactive children's book with 'singing cartoon video' and fun test
Strawberries Press 11x8½ hardcover [2/2016] for $12.95
Charlie The Choo-Choo book by Beryl Evans/Stephen King & Ned Dameron  "Charlie The Choo-Choo: From The World of The Dark Tower" [2016]
by Beryl Evans {actually Stephen King}, Illustrated by Ned Dameron

Kindle Edition from Simon & Schuster Digital Sales [11/2016] for $9.99
Simon & Schuster BFYR 8x9 hardcover [11/2016] for $13.49

"The Train To Impossible Places" Trilogy by P.G. Bell
The Impossible Postal Express is a troll-operated delivery service that runs everywhere from ocean-bottom shipwrecks, to Trollville, to space.
The Train to Impossible Places, Book 1 'A Cursed Delivery' by P.G. Bell   "Book 1: "A Cursed Delivery" [grades 5-9; 2018]
When The Impossible Postal Express comes roaring through Suzy’s living room, she sneaks on board and suddenly finds herself Deputy Post Master aboard the train; her first delivery becomes a problem when the package itself - a boy confined inside a snow globe - begs her not to deliver him because he has information that the recipient could use to take over the entire Union of Impossible Places, thus the fate of the entire Union is at stake . . .
Kindle Edition from Feiwel & Friends [10/2018] for $5.36
Square Fish 7¾x5¼ pb [10/2019] for $6.89
Feiwel & Friends 8½x5¾ hardcover [10/2018] for $12.10
The Train to Impossible Places, Book 2 'The Great Brain Robbery' by P.G. Bell  Book 2: "The Great Brain Robbery" [2019] by P.G. Bell
Suzy and her friends relaunch The Impossible Postal Express; their first project is a long-overdue
delivery, taking them deep into the Uncanny Valley and to sky-high Cloud Forge . . .

Kindle Edition from Feiwel & Friends [10/2019] for $5.36
Square Fish 7¾x5¼ pb [1/2021] for $7.99
Feiwel & Friends 9x5¾ hardcover [10/2019] for $12.49
The Train to Impossible Places, Book 3 'Delivery To The Lost City' by P.G. Bell  Book 3: "Delivery To The Lost City" [2021] by P.G. Bell
The Impossible Postal Express is charged with returning an overdue library book and Suzy thinks that it will be a nice, simple delivery; but she soon discovers that not only is the book alive, it is full of a growing and dangerous magic; worse still, the world to which it belongs is missing, and Suzy and her friends will have to use all their ingenuity to find it . . .
Kindle Edition from Feiwel & Friends [1/2021] for $9.99
Feiwel & Friends 8½x5½ hardcover [1/2021] for $14.99

The Silver Arrow book by Lev Grossman  "The Silver Arrow" [grades 3-7; 2020] by Lev Grossman
Kate and her younger brother Tom lead dull, uninteresting lives until their ultra-rich uncle
gives them a surprise gift: a colossal steam locomotive called the Silver Arrow

Kindle Edition from Little, Brown BFYR [9/2020] for $9.99
Little, Brown BFYR 7¾x5 pb [9/2020] for $15.92
Little, Brown BFYR 8x5½ hardcover [9/2020] for $11.88
Baldwin's Big Christmas Delivery children's book by Annie Auerbach  "Baldwin's Big Christmas Delivery" [2023]
by Annie Auerbach, Illustrated by David Molena & Terry Shakespeare

A switch engine named Baldwin has a busy day in the railyard; when he discovers a Christmas package that was left behind, he decides that he must deliver it himself
Kindle Edition from Dynamite Ent. [10/2023] for $10.99
Dynamite Ent. 11x9 hardcover [10/2023] for $16.99

box cover for 'The Happy Little Train' board game     1957 Milton Bradley board game "The Happy Little Train"
for ages 5-12

Milton Bradley boxed board game [1957] out of prodn/used


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