These paintings commemorate the links that flourished with the transportation of coal, milk and mail as well as passengers. They record the trains, fast and slow; the stations, viaducts, cuttings and embankments that sprang up; and the men who operated and maintained the railway. A spectacular gallery of over 20 full-page colour reproductions is complemented by detailed captions describing the background to each picture and texts from several contributing authors, recounting their first-hand experiences on the country railway - as passengers, employees and enthusiasts, Preliminary sketches and enlarged details show the development of the paintings and help to illustrate the artist's meticulous technique.