The memoirs of 23 locomotive enginemen from Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, complemented by 200 magnificent colour and black & white photographs, most never before published. In the steam era, Australia's locomotive enginemen endured some of the harshest operating conditions imaginable, with both men and machine pushed to their absolute limits. From the frosty mountain highlands to the shimmering desert sands, from the glamour of the Spirit of Progress to the old narrow gauge Ghan, locomotive enginemen were responsible for getting their trains through, while battling the elements, isolation and relentless shiftwork. This is the story of extraordinary men, from a time when railways were crucial to the fortunes of the nation, and when mateship and humour were essential to getting the job done.