The steam railway has been part of Britain’s heritage for 200 years. In that time it has evolved from the cutting edge of technology, through the driving force of industrial expansion, to the accepted form of transport and, more recently, a much-loved, living, part of our industrial legacy.

 In this programme, using film shot over the last quarter of a century, we reflect upon the development of steam and celebrate our great railway heritage.

 From the North to the South of the Principality, the Welsh railways hold a unique appeal, and in this programme we discover some of the great sights of Welsh steam.

 On the main lines we see express passenger locomotives running to Anglesea along the north Wales Coast. In the mountains of Snowdonia we visit the great Ffestiniog Railway and the re-born Welsh Highland Railway and witness the pioneering Tal-y-llyn Railway, and BR’s last steam outpost at Devil’s Bridge.

We follow the Welsh Borders, climb to the Big Pit, and travel the South Wales main line. On the borders we go deep into the Forest of Dean and run along the Dee Valley at Llangollen.