In these frustrating days of semi-automated electric trains, it is hard to remember the smell of coal smoke, the hiss of steam, and sting of cinders flying into your eyes as you hung out a window. there was romance then, in working and travelling on the Australian railways, and hardship. With his passion for the olden days worn on his sleeve and his famous ear for a good yarn well pricked, Bill ''Swampy'' Marsh has found stories from drivers and gangers, stokers and crossing guards, their families and everyone in between, to create a collection of adventures that tell in their authentic voices of the funny, dramatic and hilarious times of a world long past.