Fifty years ago, main line steam in Britain ceased to exist, the last official date being August 11, 1968. At the time, British Railways’ plan was that after this there would be no more steam traction—although a special dispensation was given for Britannia Class 4-6-2 No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell to travel under its own steam into preservation on the 12th and 13th of that month. We now know that this was not quite the case, and that steam locomotives would eventually return to the main lines on highly popular "specials." With more than 200 photographs, paired with fond and often amusing captions, this evocative book takes a look back at those days and years that led up to the end of steam on Britain’s railways.