Character guide

Roberta (Bobbie)

major

Also known as Bobbie, Bob, Dear Roberta, Dear Bob, Dear Bobbie, Bert

The eldest child, brave and resourceful, who becomes the family's emotional anchor.

Peter

major

Also known as II Peter, Pete, practical Peter

The inventive and impulsive middle child, often getting into scrapes.

Mother

major

Also known as Directly Mother, little Mother Goose, Grandfather Mother, ÄúYour Mother

The children's devoted mother, a writer who keeps the family together.

Phyllis

major

Also known as Phil

The youngest child, kind-hearted and sometimes timid.

Father

major

Also known as Daddy

The children's father, wrongly imprisoned early in the story.

Perks

supporting

Also known as Mr. Perks, dear Mr. Perks, the angry Perks, Perks the Porter, IX The Pride of Perks

The friendly railway porter who becomes a close family friend.

The Old Gentleman

supporting

Also known as the stranger

A kind elderly passenger who helps the children and their family.

The Station Master

supporting

Also known as the Station Master, The Station Master

The stern but fair railway station master.

The Doctor

minor

Also known as the Doctor, The Doctor, the doctor

The local physician who attends to the family.

Mrs. Viney

minor

The family's housekeeper at their country home.

The Russian

minor

Also known as the Russian, the Russian Prisoner

A political exile rescued by the children from a train.

Aunt Emma

minor

Also known as Emmie

The children's aunt who visits occasionally.

Ruth

minor

A servant in the household.

The Bargee

minor

Also known as The Bargee, the Bargee, Bargee, The Bargee Bill, Bill, Bill the Bargee

A canal barge operator who interacts with the children.

Mrs. Ransome

minor

A neighbor who helps the family.

Dr. Forrest

minor

Also known as Forrest, Dr. ¬ÝForrest, Äú Dr., Äú Dr. ¬ÝForrest

A doctor who treats the children's father.

Uncle Edward

minor

The children's uncle, mentioned in letters.

Jim

minor

Also known as James, Mr. James

A young man injured in the railway tunnel.

Bill Bailey

minor

Also known as Bill

A bargee who helps the children.

Mrs. Perks

minor

Perks' wife, a kind woman.

The Porter

minor

Also known as the Porter, Porter

A railway porter at the station.

Mr. Engineer

minor

A railway engineer who speaks with the children.

Jabez Inglewood

minor

Also known as Dear Mr. Jabez Inglewood

A man who writes to the family.

Nell

minor

A little girl the children meet.

The Green Dragon

minor

Also known as The Green Dragon, the Green Dragon

A pub or inn mentioned in the story.