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Original Bobbsey Twins #44
The Bobbsey Twins' Own Little Railroad
children's series #44 from Bobbsey Twins, Grosset & Dunlap purple spine edition, 178 pages in hard cover edition
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1951
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About the author
Laura Lee Hope
550 books76 followersLaura Lee Hope is a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate for the Bobbsey Twins and several other series of children's novels. Actual writers taking up the pen of Laura Lee Hope include Edward Stratemeyer, Howard and Lilian Garis, Elizabeth Ward, Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, Andrew E. Svenson, June M. Dunn, Grace Grote and Nancy Axelrad.
Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).
The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.
Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.
Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.
--from Wikipedia
Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).
The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.
Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.
Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.
--from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 2, 2021
A friend of the Bobbsey's is moving and gives the twins a little train engine just big enough to pull a car that seats five or six people. The twins have fun setting up the tracks, putting water in the boiler, starting up the fire, and getting the steam engine running. They go whizzing around the track, and Bert learns how to operate the engine all by himself. But their fun is short lived when part of the train tracks are stolen! Can the Bobbsey twins solve the mystery of the missing tracks and find the thief?
I loved this simple story and all the fun adventures that the Bobbsey twins have! The plot is interesting and really kept my attention. There is something so charming about these books that takes me back to my childhood.
Bert is such a take-charge kind of person. He is ready to dive into any adventure with courage and tenacity!
Nan is sweet and kind. She is always thinking of others and ready to help anyone in trouble.
Flossie is so cute and adorable! I just want to hug her and kiss her fat little cheeks.
Freddie is mischievous and always getting into crazy situations. He is so funny and wild!
I love the straightforward writing style, and the way the story paints a picture of a simple world where people are good and trustworthy.... well, except for the thieves and that rascal Danny Ruggs!
I loved this simple story and all the fun adventures that the Bobbsey twins have! The plot is interesting and really kept my attention. There is something so charming about these books that takes me back to my childhood.
Bert is such a take-charge kind of person. He is ready to dive into any adventure with courage and tenacity!
Nan is sweet and kind. She is always thinking of others and ready to help anyone in trouble.
Flossie is so cute and adorable! I just want to hug her and kiss her fat little cheeks.
Freddie is mischievous and always getting into crazy situations. He is so funny and wild!
I love the straightforward writing style, and the way the story paints a picture of a simple world where people are good and trustworthy.... well, except for the thieves and that rascal Danny Ruggs!
July 12, 2025
I read only some of this series as a child. Back then, I never minded the terrible cycle of lashing out and comeuppance embodied by the "irredeemable" troublemaker Danny Rugg (like Lettie Briggs in the Dana Girls-their names even look and sound alike, the first I've noticed that). Now as an adult catching up on the stories I've missed, I'm struck by how much I want some hugs and mentoring for Danny!
September 25, 2023
"A detective never gives up a case until it's solved."
It took me an embarrassingly long amount of time to stop picturing the train these children were driving around was not, in fact, an actual huge train and was like one of those trains you see at fairs or in malls. So that was a trip.
It took me an embarrassingly long amount of time to stop picturing the train these children were driving around was not, in fact, an actual huge train and was like one of those trains you see at fairs or in malls. So that was a trip.
April 9, 2020
The Bobbsey Twins books were my favourites around 60 years ago: I found this one in a National Trust bookshop and just had to have it! And, surprise surprise, they all lived happily ever after!
August 2, 2020
An okay Bobbsey Twins adventure. There's a lot of action in this one. I like how Dinah pushed the stranger out of the house.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews