This is the third volume in Roger Mannion's trilogy of works on remarkable locomotives which began with The Duchess and the Streaks. This book concentrates on the Southern Pacifics and includes information on the Southern Railway companies. It looks closely at the business and engineering background of hte locomotives, and compares them with other designs. Following an introduction to the historical background, the author describes the evolution and construction of the Southern Pacifics. He explains the design requirements and the modifications made during development. Reminiscences from the crews who built and operated the locomotives form a substantial part of the narrative. Subsequent chapters look at the working life of the Southern Pacifics, from their early days through into the 1960s. The author also records later revisions to the original design and offers an account of the decline and eventual withdrawal of the Southern Pacifics from service.