Richard Balkwill is a lecturer in Publishing Studies at the City University, London, and an associate consultant in the Centre of International Publishing Studies at Oxford Brookes University, UK. In his spare time, Richard writes about trains, and is fascinated by all things locomotive.

4-5 The first railways; 6-7 A faster way to travel; 8-9 Crossing a continent; 10-11 Steam engines; 12-13 Luxury travel; 14-15 Powered by diesel; 16-17 Pulling a load; 18-19 Electric trains; 20-21 Staying on track; 22-23 Mountain railways; 24-25 Tunnels and bridges; 26-27 High-speed trains; 28-29 City railways; 30 Mavlev trains; 31 Glossary; 32 Index.