This lavishly illustrated book opens with a brief history of the railways, beginning with profiles of the great nineteenth-century engineers, who helped lay the foundations for the first mass transportation network in the world. It celebrates the pioneering days of the North Americanrailroads and achievements of the great innovators such as George Pullman, who introduced luxury rail travel. It also reveals the courage, determination and ingenuity of the people who developed the railways in Europe, Africa, Australia, and throughout Asia. Detailed feature spreads then chroniclethe evolution of the railways from the earliest days of steam to the present generation of high-speed trains. They also focus on many fascinating aspects of trains and railways including the 1920 Canadian Pacific Ultimate D Class. Profiles of the designers and engineers complete the picture, andprovide the reader with an insider's understanding of all aspects of trains.