A literary phenomenon in his lifetime and renowned as much for his journalism and public speaking as for his novels, Charles Dickens (1812-70) now ranks as the most important Victorian writer and one of the most influential and popular authors in the English language. His memorable and vividly rendered characters and his combination of humour, trenchant satire and compassion have left an indelible mark on our collective imagination.

"Published in the Christmas edition of Charles Dickens's magazine All the Year Round, Mugby Junction is the spellbinding result of a literary collaboration between some of the leading writers of the day, and contains four unforgettable contributions by Dickens himself, including 'The Signalman' - a chilling tale of a spectral apparition whose appearances forebode fatal accidents on the line.

The eight stories included in this volume range from the hilarious to the hair-raising, and not only remain as fresh today as when they first appeared in 1866, but stand as a testament to the versatility and exuberance of Dickens's unrivalled genius.

Includes: 'Barbox Brothers', 'Barbox Brothers and Co.', 'Main Line: The Boy at Mugby' and 'No. 1 Branch Line: The Signalman' by Charles Dickens, 'No. 2 Branch Line: The Engine Driver' by Andrew Halliday, 'No. 3 Branch Line: The Compensation House' by Charles Collins, 'No. 4 Branch Line: The Travelling Post-Office' by Hesba Stretton and 'No. 5 Branch Line: The Engineer' by Amelia B. Edwards"