From the British Isles and the Middle East, from Russia and China and the Ocean Islands of Australasia, pictures of the highest quality have been included to present a lavish illustration of living steam. Here are facts and tales about the lines operating today, the landscapes they cross and the cargoes they haul. Here also are detailed commentaries on the world's magnificent engines, documented with a clear guide as to where throughout the world they can be found.

China was the last country in the world to build steam locomotives. The final main line engines emerged from Datong workshops in December 1988 and production of steam locomotives for industrial use continued until 1999. The final few steam locomotives were withdrawn from service in 2003, making China the last country to use steam on its main lines. Total eradication of China's steam programme is set to coincide with the Olympic games in 2008. When this happens, it will be the end of the last mecca for fans of real steam. This is a photo essay detailing the end of this era.

Rails Around the World is a visually glorious history depicting trains and locomotives at work in scenic locations throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Photographs by Stephen Dupont Introduction by Mark Tully This is an extraordinary photographic record of the last steam trains in India that captures not only the fascination of the steam engine but also the sense of past which will never be revisited. It is not, however, simply a book for railway enthusiasts; these are images of great emotional power that embrace not only just the magnificence of steam but also portrays the dignity of a workforce in an industry on the verge of extinction. 70 duotone plates.

"The Most Powerful Idea in the World argues that the very notion of intellectual property drove not only the invention of the steam engine but also the entire Industrial Revolution." -- Back cover.

Trains & Railways.

Two perfect books for train enthusiasts, with a historical reference book spanning nearly two centuries of locomotive development, and an enthralling illustrated guide to the world's greatest railway journeys of all timme

For nearly half of the nation's history, the steam locomotive was the outstanding symbol for progress and power. It was the literal engine of the Industrial Revolution, and it played an instrumental role in putting the United States on the world stage. While the steam locomotive's basic principle of operation is simple, designers and engineers honed these concepts into 100-mph passenger trains and 600-ton behemoths capable of hauling mile-long freight at incredible speeds. American Steam Locomotives is a thorough and engaging history of the invention that captured public imagination like no other, and the people who brought it to life.

Whether you're a steam buff or your interest lies in the modern railways of today, you'll treasure this incredibly compact volume filled with over 150 interestingly written chronological entries, from the 1830s to the present day. This highly illustrated reference contains technical specs, design development and service information, plus a complete history of international passenger and freight locomotive evolution.

A completely original tour de force of photography and text displaying living steam locomotion at its most dramatic.