The series was published from 1906-1928 and featured fictional character Ralph Fairbanks who quits school to help support his widowed mother. Ralph works his way up through various postions in the Great Northern railroad that his father helped build, and seeks to recover his father's lost fortune from the villanous Gasper Farrington.

The specific titles included are: Volume #1 RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE OR BOUND TO BECOME A RAILROAD MAN; Volume #2 RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER OR CLEARING THE STACK; Volume #3 RALPH ON THE ENGINE OR THE YOUNG FIREMAN OF THE LIMITED MAIL; Volume #4 RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS OR THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF A YOUNG ENGINEER; Volume #5 RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER OR THE MYSTERY OF THE PAY CAR; Volume #6 RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN OR THE YOUNG RAILROADER’S MOST DARING EXPLOIT ; Volume #7 RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER OR THE WRECK AT SHADOW VALLEY; Volume #8 RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH OR THE STOLEN GOVERNMENT BONDS.

From the DJ blurb: "In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of the great railroad system. There are adventures in abundance--railroad wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a "wildcat" locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on board--but there is much more than this--the intense rivalry among railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the getting through "on time" in spite of all obstacles, and the manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or ruin." These books are vintage collectibles, overall reflecting noble values, albiet with some jargon and stereotypes from that period. This set will appeal to children's series book collectors and railroad enthusiasts.

Condition  Book: Very Good / Dust Jacket: Good Now in archival film cover.
Physical Description

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This item is listed under: Children's Books, Railroad, Sets. (any of these links open in a new browser window)