Thousands of commuters south of the Thames use the railway daily, but how many know the fascinating history of the Southern Railway, created in 1923 from four smaller companies? Colin Maggs, one of the country's foremost railway historians, tells the story of the London & South Western Railway, the London Brighton & South Coast Railway, the South Eastern Railway and the London, Chatham & Dover Railway (also known as the London, Smash 'em & Turnover Railway due to its poor safety record) in comprehensive detail. In addition to the company's history, he covers the railway's cross-Channel shipping enterprise and the creation of Southampton Docks for ocean-going vessels. From its Victorian beginnings, the golden age of steam, diversification, Edwardian amalgamation through nationalisation and to the present day, Colin Maggs tells the gripping story of one of the country's proudest railway firms. Illustrated with over 100 photographs and period posters, many in colour.