"In the field of transportation, the steam locomotive reigned supreme in the world of railway motive power, only to be replaced overnight by the diesel electric. RAILS ACROSS THE MIDLANDS is a pictorial anthology of steam railroading in the grand manner. It embraces the Midlands - industrial heartland of America. Here could be found the greatest variety of railroads: heavy traffic main lines, connecting railroads, coal roads and shortlines" --From inside book jacket