This lavish new volume explores Britain's extensive railway heritage, offering a comprehensive history of their construction, use and subsequent preservation. The book outlines the development of Britain's railways from the coming of steam through to the first age of the train, the 'big four', wartime service, the nationalisation of the network and the advent of diesels and electrification. It incorporates evocative photographs and artworks from the extensive archives of the National Railway Museum. Examples of steam preservation lines featured in the book include the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, North Norfolk Railway, Bluebell Railway, Nene Valley Railway, Severn Valley Railway and Paignton and Dartmouth Railway, which are presented in a useful appendix, with contact details and opening times for attractions.