Originally built as a patchwork of local rail links, the railroads in Britain boomed in the 1840s into a truly national network. This lavish volume celebrates the expansion of both narrow-gauge and standard railways, the forceful personalities that made them grow, and the technologies that redefined rail travel. From Stephenson's steam-powered Rocket in 1829 and Gresley's Flying Scotsman to today's blisteringly fast Eurostar, all of the most famous locomotives are here and presented in evocative photographs and art. (hb)

Author: Chris Ellis and Greg Morse