# The Railway Children — Character guide

> Key figures in The Railway Children by E. Nesbit.

- [Roberta (Bobbie)](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/roberta_bobbie.md): The eldest child, brave and resourceful, who becomes the family's emotional anchor.
- [Peter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/peter.md): The inventive and impulsive middle child, often getting into scrapes.
- [Mother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/mother.md): The children's devoted mother, a writer who keeps the family together.
- [Phyllis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/phyllis.md): The youngest child, kind-hearted and sometimes timid.
- [Father](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/father.md): The children's father, wrongly imprisoned early in the story.
- [Perks](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/perks.md): The friendly railway porter who becomes a close family friend.
- [The Old Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/old_gentleman.md): A kind elderly passenger who helps the children and their family.
- [The Station Master](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/station_master.md): The stern but fair railway station master.
- [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/doctor.md): The local physician who attends to the family.
- [Mrs. Viney](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/mrs_viney.md): The family's housekeeper at their country home.
- [The Russian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/russian_prisoner.md): A political exile rescued by the children from a train.
- [Aunt Emma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/aunt_emma.md): The children's aunt who visits occasionally.
- [The Bargee](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/bargee.md): A canal barge operator who interacts with the children.
- [Dr. Forrest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/dr_forrest.md): A doctor who treats the children's father.
- [Uncle Edward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/uncle_edward.md): The children's uncle, mentioned in letters.
- [Jim](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/jim.md): A young man injured in the railway tunnel.
- [Mr. Engineer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/mr_engineer.md): A railway engineer who speaks with the children.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters