A passion for steam

"The steam locomotive was one of man's most beneficial inventions. First carrying people faster than the speed of an animal, and enabling mass-production industry and agriculture to specialise, it had enormous social and economic consequences - but also rapidly became a cult object in itself. Indeed, over more than a century and a half, many men of all ages and from all backgrounds have had an affinity with the steam engine that surpasses all reason." --From inside of book jacket