This is a nostalgic guide to fifty of the most famous locomotives of the steam train and early diesel age, including the people, power and popularity that made them famous. It is packed with thrilling photographs of the locomotives at full steam, as well as colour photos taken after their restoration - many of which are unique to this book. It is complete with details of the engineering works that brought these exciting engines to life and the work of the men that kept them running, along with vital statistics for all the locomotives in the book. It is a perfect identification guide for today's trainspotters and railway enthusiasts, old or new.

Peter Herring has been a railway enthusiast for longer than he cares to remember. He was editor of Steam Classic magazine for more than six years, and is the author of Ultimate Train (Dorling Kindersley) and Yesterday's Railways (D&C). He has also written numerous articles for other publications, and lives in Surrey.