It is over fifty years since the main line steam revival began in October 1971 with the return to steam by 6000 King George V, thanks to the efforts of Peter Prior and the help from the British Railways Board.

This is not the whole story, in that the preservation movement was developing and beginning to mature, as more preserved railways opened throughout the Country. These developments took place fifty years ago, and subsequently, are forming their own history. The period covered in this book reflects on times when main line steam travel and preserved railways developed and matured into the steam operations we experienced as we entered the twenty first century.

This book contains color images from the author's collection of large format slides, using over 200 pictures with informative captions to describe the scenes depicted, in chronological order. The enormous work of volunteers in developing the preservation movement cannot be underestimated, because without those efforts, there would be no history to record. This is a salute to the volunteer movement.

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: 1972 to 1974: Early Days
• Chapter 2: 1975: An Anniversary Year
• Chapter 3: 1976 & 1977: Pacific Power and a Farewell
• Chapter 4: 1978 & 1979: Preserved Lines and New Motive Power
• Chapter 5: 1980: Farewell Vintage Carriages and Welcome Cumbrian Expresses
• Chapter 6: 1981: From Scotland to Scarborough and a Very Old Locomotive
• Chapter 7: 1982: The Year of Number One
• Chapter 8: 1983: Double Headings and a Special 60th Birthday
• Chapter 9: 1984: Steam to Mallaig and a GWR 4-4-0
• Chapter 10: 1985: GW150 and Marylebone Steam
• Epilogue
• Glossary
• Bibliography