The Train Book

From the earliest steam locomotives that transformed the world in the nineteenth century through the sleek high-speed trains of today and the autonomous railways of tomorrow, the train has been one of the most significant technologies in human history — shrinking distance, connecting communities, enabling industrialisation, and providing some of the most powerful images in the cultural imagination of every era. DK’s The Train Book tells the complete story in comprehensive visual detail.

Over two hundred locomotives and train types are profiled, from classic steam engines to contemporary magnetic levitation trains, with detailed photography, technical specifications, and the historical context that explains why each development mattered. The engineering of railway systems — tracks, signals, stations, tunnels, and bridges — receives as much attention as the trains themselves.

The perfect gift for any railway enthusiast — and a fascinating visual history of one of the technologies that made the modern world. Published by DK.