# Perks — The Railway Children character guide

> Perks in The Railway Children by E. Nesbit.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Perks, dear Mr. Perks, the angry Perks, Perks the Porter, IX The Pride of Perks

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-peter-s-coal-mine

## Snapshot

The railway porter with a gruff manner and a soft spot for three well-mannered children, who becomes the family's most approachable friend.

## Who they are

Perks holds court in the Porters' room among lamps and railway almanacs, making tea in a beer can and pretending to be gruffer than he is. He has a wife and children of his own and no time for birthdays, which the children find both funny and sad. Less grand than the Station Master and less powerful than the old gentleman, he is the one they can actually talk to — and his pride, when the children try to thank him too generously, becomes one of the book's most delicate lessons in kindness.

## Relationships

### [Roberta (Bobbie)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/roberta_bobbie)

_friendship_

Perks, the railway porter, becomes a trusted friend to Bobbie, who often seeks his advice and company.

### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/peter)

_friendship_

Perks and Peter enjoy a friendly camaraderie, often working together on railway-related errands.

### [Phyllis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/phyllis)

_friendship_

Perks is a cheerful friend to Phyllis, often teasing her kindly and including her in activities.

### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/peter)

_friendship_

Perks and Peter enjoy a friendly camaraderie, often working together on railway-related errands.

### [Roberta (Bobbie)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/roberta_bobbie)

_friendship_

Perks, the railway porter, becomes a trusted friend to Bobbie, who often seeks his advice and company.

### [Phyllis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/phyllis)

_friendship_

Perks is a cheerful friend to Phyllis, often teasing her kindly and including her in activities.

### [Roberta (Bobbie)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/roberta_bobbie)

_friendship_

Perks, the railway porter, becomes a trusted friend to Bobbie, who often seeks his advice and company.

### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/peter)

_friendship_

Perks and Peter enjoy a friendly camaraderie, often working together on railway-related errands.

### [Phyllis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/phyllis)

_friendship_

Perks is a cheerful friend to Phyllis, often teasing her kindly and including her in activities.

## In the story

### [The Railway Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/chapters/the-railway-children)

The friendly porter at the railway station who becomes a key figure in the children's lives, initially gruff but kind-hearted.

### [IV: The Engine-Burglar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/chapters/iv-the-engine-burglar)

The Porter who explains engine types to the children and shares details about his family.

### [Saviours of the Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/chapters/vi-saviours-of-the-train)

Initially offended at being kept in the dark about the Russian, later forgives the children and gives them strawberries.

### [The Pride of Perks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/chapters/ix-the-pride-of-perks)

Proud and initially offended by the gifts, but eventually understands the children's good intentions.

### [The Terrible Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/chapters/x-the-terrible-secret)

Offers comfort and practical help after Peter's injury, showing his kindness and community spirit.

### [The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/chapters/xiv-the-end)

Greets Bobbie warmly with a newspaper; expresses joy at seeing something in the paper.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters/perks
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_railway_children_se/characters