The Railway Children is one of the first children's books with a real life setting and very real problems to be solved. Edith Nesbit (1958 - 1924) was an English poet and author known for her children's books. She is credited with writing over 60 books for children. Nesbit was co-founder of the Fabian Society, which later became the Labour Party. Nesbit wrote about the real world not a fantasyland. She invented the children's adventure story. In The railway Children a family is living near a railway after their father has been falsely accused of selling state secrets to the Russians. The children spend their time watching the trains and waving at the passengers. . They become friends with Perks, the station porter, and with The Old Gentleman who travels on the 9: 45 train. The Old Gentleman l helps them free their father.