Engine Number Ten

Author: Rose Ann Woolpert
Publisher: Graniterock
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-939341-01-3
Pages: 32
Price: $17.99

As folks moved westward in the late 1800’s, rock was needed to build houses and roads. Men and mules began the work, but they soon realized more powerful equipment was needed to move all the rock. Steam engines took over, until they also were not enough. Finally the diesel engine was used.

But one steam engine was called on for a last heroic effort, when the diesel engine got stuck in a landslide. After pulling it out, Engine Number Ten was retired and left to rust. But a man who was witness to the event determined to restore the old steam engine and use her in a train museum to give rides to kids.

Engine Number Ten shares some of the history behind the rock quarrying efforts in California, along with this sweet story about a special train. It promotes positive messages of the beauty in historical objects and the joy of helping others. But kids will especially love it because it’s a book about trains.

Reviewer: Alice Berger