This book continues the exploration of the now almost forgotten world of the country passenger train. Once again, the trains of a geographic area are examined and. in this case, the northern area is covered. Mail trains deserve a special study and a full chapter sets out to describe the operations of these once all encompassing and important services. As a further tribute to these exceptional trains, we take a journey on the South West Mail, a train that, in its time, enjoyed the tractive powers of a wide variety of fascinating steam locomotives, large and small.

The various needs of the passengers are also covered ranging from the gastronomic to aspects such as heating, cooling, lighting and many other creature comforts.