A definitive archive film led history of the early years of Britain\'s nationalised rail network. Among the locomotives featured are the A4 Pacific Class, the First diesel-electric loco no. 10000, the BR standard Britannia class, 9F class \'Evening Star\', the Deltic prototype, the Peak D1, D.M.U\'s, Warships, Westerns, the Blue Pullman and the Glasgow Blue Electrics. Includes: • The formation of the British Transport Commission • A review of post-nationalisation motive power and the locomotive trials • An overview of the resulting BR Standard Class steam locomotives • The 1955 \'Modernisation Plan\' • First generation diesel-electric locomotives • The Western Region diesel-hydraulics • The relative merits of steam and diesel traction • Various suburban electrification schemes • Freight, marshalling yards, goods depots, mail trains, cars by rail and many more... Interviews with: • Alan Pegler OBE – railway preservation pioneer and saviour of the Flying Scotsman • Jim Rees of the National Railway Museum • Engine drivers of the mainline steam era John Fletcher and Ted Abear