Spirit of America Bookstore
Railroads in Fiction
Books & Videos For Young Railfans
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" [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] 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] 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] 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 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 Beauprι 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" [ages 4-8; Platt & Munk 1930]  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 |
 | "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" [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" 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 IMDb movie entry at Wikipedia |
 | "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" [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" [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" [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" 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 IMDb movie entry at Wikipedia |
 | "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 |
Spirit of America Bookstore's
"Thomas the Tank Engine" Books [est. 1945] & Toys & TV Pages
top of page 1 synopsis & history the books the authors business entities other media links
top of page 2 movies & videos principal characters image gallery
top of page 3 non-series TV TV 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 9Ύ 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 Philosophers 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".
"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: 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 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 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 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 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" [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" [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" [2011] by Christopher G.C. Vine, Illustrated by John Wardle self-publd 5½x6 pb [8/2011] for $6.75 |
 | "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 Amazon
Oliver Postgate credits at IMDb
search for books by Peter Firmin {returns 170+ items} at Amazon
Peter 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 website
company entry at Wikipedia
 | "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 |
 | "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" 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" 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]
|
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 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 books
official booksite no author/book entry at Wikipedia
 | "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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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" [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" [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 Goodnight Train Series" children's books
 | "The Goodnight Train" [2012] by June Sobel, Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith All aboard! for a sweet and rhyming bedtime story ... HarperCollins pb [10/2017] out of print/scarce Houghton Mifflin Harcourt hardcover [6/2012] for $21.59 | |
 | "The Goodnight Train Rolls On!" [2018] by June Sobel, Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith When a herd of poky sheep slows the Goodnight Train to a crawl, the Engineer's quick thinking has them rolling along in no time - until one tricky sheep sends the train and its sleepy passengers tossing and turning! Kindle Edition from H.M.H. BFYR [12/2020] for $6.07 Clarion Books 6¾x7½ board book [9/2019] for $6.39 Clarion Books 9x11 hardcover [9/2018] for $14.10 |
"The Goodnight Train Baby On Board" []
http://www.amazon.com/dp/006344951X/
"The Goodnight Train Valentine" [12/2024]
http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Train-Valentine-June-Sobel/dp/0063354136/
"The Goodnight Train Ready For School" [6/2025]
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0063354144/
 | "Santa and The Goodnight Train" [2019] by June Sobel, Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith The Goodnight Train follows Santas sleigh on a magical ride through a winter wonderland Kindle Edition from Clarion Books [9/2019] for $6.99 Clarion Books 6¾x7½ board book [10/2020] for $7.06 Clarion Books 9x11 hardcover [9/2019] for $9.57 | |
 | "The Goodnight Train Hallowe'en" [2022] by June Sobel, Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith On Hallowe'en night the Goodnight Train hauls costumed sheep, glowing jack-o'-lanterns, friendly ghosts, and a boxcar filled with candy freight into the station for bedtime. Clarion Books 6½x7½ board book [7/2022] for $6.00 | |
 | "The Goodnight Train Easter: A Soothing Adventure To Bedtime On The Goodnight Train" [2024] by June Sobel, Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith Sturdy board book with egg-shaped peek-a-boo die-cuts on every page; take a springtime ride on the Goodnight Train for a magical Easter-egg hunt Clarion Books 6½x7½ board book [1/2024] for $7.20 |
here on the Books & Videos For Young Railfans Page at Spirit of America Bookstore
top of page 'Young Engineers' series 'The Little Engine That Could' 'Thomas the Tank Engine' 'Harry Potter' series other books
Spirit of America Bookstore's 'Railroads in Fiction' Pages
on page one: top of page early railroad fiction 1925 1950 1980
on page two: top of page 2000 2010 recent & coming soon
Spirit of America Bookstore's American Railroads Pages
top of page 1 Links Museums Class I Railroads Class II Railroads Shortline Railroads
top of page 2 Railroad History Narrow Gauge Historic Rail Lines
top of page 3 Transcontinental Railroads Railroad Moguls Railroad Recordings
Spirit of America Bookstore's 'Non-Fiction Books About Railroads' Pages
Spirit of America Bookstore's Railroad Film Festival Pages
Spirit of America Bookstore's Scale Model & Toy Trains Page
G.E. Nordell's Travel U.S.A. / Railroad Museums Page
Visiting this webpage from outside the U.S.A.? It is possible to make purchases from these coded Amazon (USA) links
via other Amazon sites: just follow these instructions.
Online sales in association with 
top of this page back to Spirit of America Bookstore homepage