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The Old Powder Line
Brian goes for a ride on a mysterious steam train that takes him back into his childhood.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
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About the author
Richard Parker
29Ìýbooks2ÌýfollowersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ database.
Richard^^^^^^Parker
Richard^^^^^^Parker
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 11, 2019
One of my favourite books of all time.
The fact that I read it for the first time when I was about 9 years old and can still remember it 40years later shows the impact that it had on me.
The fact that I read it for the first time when I was about 9 years old and can still remember it 40years later shows the impact that it had on me.
December 2, 2012
I've had this book since I was a child; it's one of the few that survived my teenage "I'm grown up and don't read children's books any more" cull of my bookshelves (a cull that I lived to regret, but that's another story).
Brian is out trainspotting one day when a railway employee he hasn't seen before tells him there'll be a steam train soon at Platform 4. The only trouble is, there is no Platform 4 at this station. Except, as it turns out, there is...sometimes. And when Brian finds Platform 4 and gets on the steam train, it takes him into the past. And that's where the trouble starts. As Brian tries to understand what's happening, he ropes in Wendy, his sister's friend, and Arnold Mincing, a much older, wheelchair-bound friend. And eventually, rescues are necessary.
In fact, despite the characters' attempts to understand, the author never does explain the time-travelling train, or why it appeared, or why it (as is implied at the end) disappears. Or how or why it works. It doesn't really matter, though, as the story is really about the unreliability of memory. And a little bit a teen romance. And there's just something kind of charming about it.
(Not sure why Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ thinks there was only a hardback edition. Here's a pic of the cover of my Puffin paperback:
[image error] )
Brian is out trainspotting one day when a railway employee he hasn't seen before tells him there'll be a steam train soon at Platform 4. The only trouble is, there is no Platform 4 at this station. Except, as it turns out, there is...sometimes. And when Brian finds Platform 4 and gets on the steam train, it takes him into the past. And that's where the trouble starts. As Brian tries to understand what's happening, he ropes in Wendy, his sister's friend, and Arnold Mincing, a much older, wheelchair-bound friend. And eventually, rescues are necessary.
In fact, despite the characters' attempts to understand, the author never does explain the time-travelling train, or why it appeared, or why it (as is implied at the end) disappears. Or how or why it works. It doesn't really matter, though, as the story is really about the unreliability of memory. And a little bit a teen romance. And there's just something kind of charming about it.
(Not sure why Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ thinks there was only a hardback edition. Here's a pic of the cover of my Puffin paperback:
[image error] )
January 29, 2013
I read this book as a young child and it has always left an impression on me. This book was the start of my love for time travel, history, and all things British. Interestingly, the time travel happens on a train, with a platform that appears and disappears...I'm thinking perhaps some idea were gleaned from this book into a popular series?
March 12, 2013
This is one of my favourite books. I read it as a child and an adult. It got me into reading fantasy. Brian travels by a train which cannot exist into his own past. Just brilliant.
February 24, 2025
An enjoyable story about a boy named Brian who loves to trainspot. One day, he finds a tunnel leading to Platform 4, an old rail line that is no longer in use.
However, he soon hears a steam engine and is invited onboard. After just a minute, he gets off and finds himself in the same place. Upon going home, he is shocked to be in a different time.
A great time travel story for middle grade to YA. Very complex, but well explained. Brian, unfortunately, was written by the author to believe that girls should not have opinions, and when they do, they are wrong. He is surprised when the girl he likes, Wendy, is smart, and he thinks to himself that it had never occurred to him that girls could be intelligent. That’s a clear reflection on Mr. Parker.
However, he soon hears a steam engine and is invited onboard. After just a minute, he gets off and finds himself in the same place. Upon going home, he is shocked to be in a different time.
A great time travel story for middle grade to YA. Very complex, but well explained. Brian, unfortunately, was written by the author to believe that girls should not have opinions, and when they do, they are wrong. He is surprised when the girl he likes, Wendy, is smart, and he thinks to himself that it had never occurred to him that girls could be intelligent. That’s a clear reflection on Mr. Parker.
November 21, 2018
Amazing how little of the book I actually remembered - the early sections yes, but not the latter. It did take me back to when I would have read it first. It's a good story, though the mechanics of the time travel are sketchy :) I'll read it again soon and do so in one go!!
May 18, 2025
I really loved this as a child. As an adult I still found it a good story.
May 3, 2016
This story is amazing. I read this many years ago when I was a mere lad, and decided to read it again. Truly one of the classics!!!
The suspense builds well, and the whole aspect of time was handled with aplomb, much better than more modern usages.
This book sparked my passion, and I'm glad it has stood the test of time so well!
The suspense builds well, and the whole aspect of time was handled with aplomb, much better than more modern usages.
This book sparked my passion, and I'm glad it has stood the test of time so well!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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