Mark’s model-railway was the most important thing in the world to him. It was
not just a toy but a carefully worked out system designed to operate as like the
real thing as possible. And for Mark, of course, the real thing meant the Southern
and L.M.S. railways in the great age of steam. But what Mark did not realise,
until he saw the pullover, was that he and his father were not the only ‘steam’
enthusiasts in the house.
The pullover was so small as it lay on a bench at the end of a station platform on
his railway. Old, torn and grubby as it was, and much too tiny even for a doll to
wear, Mark realised at once that it was a real pullover. So he waited motionless,
hardly daring to breathe, for it owner to come and claim it. That was how he met
the first of the model-railway men, Telford.
“Smoke and steam and the smell of oil” were what Telford and his sons and
grandsons loved and soon Mark was learning things from them about his railway
that he had never known before. But the railway people were a big responsibility,
too. They had to be kept hidden from his parents. They had to be helped
to get their food and water and replacements for their worn-out clothes. And it
was not always easy to help them for they were fiercely independent and sometimes
rashly brave. There were times too when Mark resented their ‘bossing’ and
tried—sometimes with disastrous results—to get his own way in spite of them.
But even at the worst, like the night when they had to send out an S.O.S. to save
Gresley’s life, knowing them brought Mark that special kind of friendship only
fellow enthusiasts share.
Reviews of The Model Railway Men series include:-
"Plenty of expertise (and diagrams) for the technically minded; a drama in miniature for the rest" Naomi Lewis, Smiths Trade News.
"For all proper---that is, steam age---railway enthusiasts this is a must...a tonic whiff of the grease gun for all nostalgic fans." The Spectator
"Children...will have no difficulty in believing in crusty Telford and his grave son Stroudley and the rest of the family...This engaging fancy with characters so individual." Margery Fisher, Growing Point.
"Railway enthusiasts will learn much with Mark, everybody will enjoy the warm humanity of the midget railway-men." The Birmingham Post.
The Model Railway Men (Book 1)
"A charming story about a family of tiny steam train enthusiasts....Mr. Pope brings to it a sense of characterisation and situation, plus a railway expertise that combine to make a very enjoyable book"
School Librarian (The Journal of The School Library Association).
Telford and the American Visitor (Book 2)
"The Model-Railway people are growing in depth of character as they encounter more trials, and Mark is learning the cost of secrecy...the story is exciting and funny". School Librarian
The Model Railway Men Take Over (Book 3)
"This book combines the 'romance of steam' with the miniature which most children enjoy."
Times Literary Supplement
Telfords Holiday (Book 4)
"Mark and his railway men move from the attic where the delightful secret of their existance has been kept secret to the more dangerous out of doors world...A welcome change of scene for these lively characters." Growing Point
Telford and the Festiniog Railway (Book 5)
"This series is consistently good...beautifully characterised, exciting and touching, and the background of railways and their history is lovingly created." Sunday Telegraph
Telford Saves the Line (Book 6)
"The book will undoubtebly be of interest to all railway enthusiasts, particularly those with a steam nostagia." Times Literary Supplement
Telford Goes Dutch (Book 7)
"Mark and his father visit Holland and...the model-railway men go too...and discover that they are not after all the last of their miniature race." Margery Fisher, Sunday Times
Telford Tells the Truth (Book 8)
"Telford could go on for ever - and thousands of faithful readers hope that he will...Splended stuff." Yorkshire Post
