Ralph on the Engine; Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28292

Title

Ralph on the Engine; Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this thrilling installment of The Railroad Series, young fireman Ralph Fairbanks faces sabotage, strikes, and a dangerous chase to save a passenger train. Blending action with moral lessons on integrity and duty, this adventure story appeals to readers who enjoy fast-paced railway mysteries and the camaraderie of hardworking railroad men.

Summary up to 500 words

In Allen Chapman's *Ralph on the Engine*, dedicated young fireman Ralph Fairbanks begins his night shift on the Dover slow freight for the Great Northern Railroad. His run is immediately jeopardized by a suspicious landslide blocking the tracks. Ralph quickly discerns that the obstruction is not a natural accident but a deliberate sabotage attempt by train robbers. Racing against time alongside veteran engineer John Griscom, they successfully divert a runaway freight train onto a siding, saving a passenger train full of civilians from a catastrophic collision. Following this narrow escape, Ralph returns home to find his friend Limpy Joe's restaurant burned down by Ike Slump, a former associate turned criminal. Simultaneously, Ralph's companion Zeph Dallas embarks on a perilous quest to recover a lost car, No. 9176, which contains stolen diamonds. Zeph faces hostility from railroad strikers, leading to escalating tensions that turn violent with explosions and riots threatening the entire railway system. As Ralph investigates the sabotage and the diamond theft, he uncovers a deeper conspiracy orchestrated by the villainous Gasper Farrington, a wealthy magnate who has been defrauding workers and manipulating railroad securities. Farrington, now dying and abandoned by his partner Bartlett, reveals documents that restore his stolen fortune to the rightful owners, including Ralph's mother. With the help of the convict John Vance and Zeph's recovery of the diamonds, justice is served. The villains—Bartlett, Ike Slump, and Mort Bemis—are arrested and imprisoned. The story concludes with the successful opening of a new short-line railroad, celebrating the triumph of loyalty, perseverance, and the heroism of the railroad workers. Ralph reaffirms his commitment to his railroad life, ready for future adventures.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg28292.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction