Following the October 1989 publication in book form of O S Nock"s "Locomotive Practice and Performance" articles spanning the years 1959-68, the clock is now turned back with a selection from the first author of the world-famous column, Charles Rous-Marten, who contributed between 1901 and 1908. It was Rous-Marten - the "high priest of train timing" - who claimed the controversial 102-mph record for "City of Truro" in 1902. He was a somewhat eccentric, opinionated and highly enthusiastic railyway journalist and his lively articles vividly capture the spirit of Britain"s railways in the Edwardian era. They have not appeared in book form before.