The romance with the age of steam and the steam locomotives that revolutionised industry, travel and even holidays in the latter part of the 19th century are featured in this book, from the development of Richard Trevithick's first working locomotive and Stephenson's Rocket to the iconic engines of the 20th century.
The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a crucial part in the growth of steam, along with the LNER, LMS, Southern and Settle & Carlisle lines. The trains themselves are of course the vital ingredient and some of the classics are highlighted including: Evening Star, Duchess of Hamilton, City of Truro, Flying Scotsman and Mallard.
Despite the demise of steam in the 1950s and 1960s, many locomotives have survived thanks to the dedicated volunteers on preservation railways both in the UK and across the globe. Scenic journeys available via steam today are also discovered while captivating pictures provide a backdrop for this interesting story.
