A book of railway paintings with accompanying text, which depict the romance, the muck and the struggle against the elements endured by the men of steam. The book forms an historic tribute to the steam age, starting with the "Rocket" at Rainhill and finishing with preparations for the famous locomotive procession at Shildon. In addition to the colour prints, the accompanying text tells of the author's enthusiasm for railways, how he came to paint the pictures and how he became the first chairman of the Guild of Railway Artists.