A powerful collection of yesterdays iron workhorses captured in a variety of nostalgic photographs. Solomon"s thoroughly-researched text details the origins, development and growth of the steam locomotive from its earliest days right up to its final futile battles to compete with the diesel. Witness the intimate workings of old steam engines that used 20,000 gallons of water per hour! And look inside fireboxes large enough to host a dinner for 12! See these iron behemoths inside and out, in photographs of them on the tracks, as well as in shots of them being rebuilt. An action-packed profile of the mighty steam trains that once ruled the tracks.