From the early years of steam power to today's awe inspiring high-speed passenger trains, this book spans nearly two centuries of locomotive history. It covers the first designs of the 1830s, early North American freight trains, the golden age of railways from 1900-1950, the crossover from steam power to diesel and electric, and how the locomotive was transformed into the superior passenger and freight-pulling power of today. Bringing us to the present, the latest developments are highlighted, including modern wonders such as Europe's Eurostar and the Japanese bullet train. With 700 photographs, the book is a wonderful guide that will appeal to all.