The story concerns the Waterbury family who move to "Three Chimneys", a house near the railway after the father, who works at the Foreign office, is imprisoned as a result of being falsely accused of selling state secrets to the Russians. The three children, Roberta (Bobbie), Peter and Phyllis, find amusement in watching the trains on the nearby railway line and waving to the passengers. They become friendly with Albert Perks, the station porter, and with the Old Gentleman who regularly takes the 9:15 down train. He is eventually able to help prove their father's innocence, and the family is reunited.The family also take care of the Russian exile, Mr Szczepansky,who came to England looking for his family (later located) and Jim, the grandson of the Old Gentleman,who suffers a broken leg in a tunnel.孙伟笑道：“你放心吧妹子，老方这人最干净了，不然我们还不放心让他背你呢，你吃着糖就当是刚才让你崴了脚的补偿，我们继续赶路。”