Follow the development, decline and later revival of Britain'sRailways from bestselling railway author Julian Holland. The history is told through commentary, photographs and archive material from a lifetime of railway research. Britain's railways have claimed many world firsts, ranging from Richard Trevithick's Penydarren of 1802 (the first steam railway locomotive), George Stephenson's Stockton & Darlington Railway of 1825 (the first public railway) and his Liverpool & Manchester Railway (the first inter-city railway) to Nigel Gresley's iconic streamlined locomotives of which Mallard holds the world speed record for steam of 126mph achieved in 1938. Chapters include: * In the Beginning (1603-1825)* The first intercity and trunk railways (1826-1840)* Expansion and Railway Mania (1841-1850)* The Great Victorian Age (1850-1900)* The early 20th century (1901-1922)* The Big Four, streamliners and war (1923-1947)* Nationalisation, rationalisation and modernisation (1948- 1963)* Dr Beeching, contraction and the end of steam (1963-1993)* Privatisation and High-speed (1993 onwards) Gold title * Definitive account of Britain's railways by leading railway author and commentator, Julian Holland. * Railway ephemera, photographs and commentary bring the story to life. * Follow up book to the successful Times railway book series.