An account of the period when railways in Britain were a boom industry. The author traces the development of the railway system and recounts the successful opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830 which led to the construction of the first great trunk lines, and in turn the rapid expansion of the system following the railway mania of 1845. In addition, locomotives rolling stock, track and signalling and their development throughout the period are described, together with buildings and civil engineering works - many of which remain in use today.