'The World's Railways and How They Work' was probably written initially for train-mad boys, but now provides a fascinating insight into the history of locomotives at a time (1940s) when most but not all railway engines were still powered by steam. Extensively illustrated on every page with b & w photographs of railways and engines all over the world, and intriguingly detailed cut-away illustrations by the author, L. Ashwell Wood, who also provided similar diagrammatic drawings for other books published by Odhams, including ones on the Navy and Merchant Navy. A presumed 1st edition from 1947 (written dated inscription inside flyleaf antedates book to 1949 or earlier).