This volume serves as a comprehensive reference work designed to catalog the technical, historical, and operational facets of global railway systems. O.S. Nock, a noted authority on railway engineering and history, compiles decades of technical knowledge to provide a structured overview of locomotive development, signaling systems, and infrastructure evolution. The text functions as a systematic guide for enthusiasts and researchers seeking precise data on the mechanics of rail transport.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational reference for those interested in the mechanical and historical development of rail transport. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which provides significant depth for serious students of the subject.