This book looks back to the time when steam locomotives were the dominant form of power on the railways in the North East of England - as they had been for over a century. But in a few short years, this era had been brutally ended - not just on British Railways but on the many private and 'industrial' lines in the area too. Richard Gaunt's evocative photographs bring back the pain of that period, but also the style and the drama from steam's last few years. Shot mainly in the Darlington, Sunderland and Hartlepool areas, they cover not only the glamorous expresses, but the seemingly endless heavy freight and shunting operations seen throughout the region and too often overlooked. This book will bring back powerful memories for those who know the area around this time, but also appeal to readers with more general interests in railway matters - and those who simply enjoy dramatic photographs of industrial scenes.