Much has been written about the 60 cm gauge lines used by all sides to supply their troops at the Front during World War One, but with the exception of some books on the locomotives, there has been virtually nothing on the standard gauge lines, in the case of the British, operated by the Railway Operating Division of the Royal Engineers. Yet by the end of the war, the ROD was the size of many a national railway, with around 1350 standard gauge locomotives, 18,400 men, 3 large workshops and 30 engine sheds. Part 1 of this excellent book describes the establishment and development of the ROD, the work of the ‘broad gauge’ lines in the various campaigns on the Western Front, and lists its depots and workshops. Part 2 is a comprehensive history of all the standard gauge locomotives used by the ROD. It is a fascinating story, if complex in some of the geographical details, well told and presented. Numerous archive B&W photographs, 5 maps. 208 pages. Hardbound.