The Railway Children
The Railway Children is a children's book written by Edith Nesbit and originally published as a book in 1906, although it had been serialized the previous year in The London Magazine.
In this moving story we learn about the life of a family who must move from London to Yorkshire, right next to the railroad tracks. The reason for the move is the arrest, totally unjust and on false evidence, of the father of the family for espionage offenses while working for the Foreign Office.
The children meet a kind gentleman who every day takes the 9:15 train that passes right by their new home. The man decides to help the boys and try to prove their father's innocence so that the family can be together again. Will this elderly gentleman succeed in his goal and get the boys' father out of jail?
The book has been taken on numerous occasions to other media such as theater or television, most notably the 1970 film directed by Lionel Jeffries and starring Jenny Agutter and Dinah Sheridan.
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Public domain (US)·No sign-up·DRM-free·Real text, not scans
Copyright note. The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading The Railway Children in PDF or EPUB.
- Pages
- 178
- Reading time
- 4 hours 59 minutes
- Pace
- Intermediate
- First published
- 1906
- Language
- English
- Downloads
- 2,917
120 years later, still timely
Why Read The Railway Children in 2026?
Three siblings, a railway, and the kindness of neighbors—swift, warm, and sturdy as iron.
Today's connection
Mutual aid still matters. This is comfort reading that also models community and courage.
Read-aloud joy
Chapters that glide.
Everyday heroism
Small acts, big change.
Community bonds
Strangers become allies.
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About the author
Edith Nesbit
Modern family fantasy where play, magic, and ethics share the same room.
