From WWII into the '70s the communist countries, lacking capital for dieselization, continued to build & operate steam locomotives. This presented a powerful attraction for steam fans. The authors, certifiable foamers, yielded in spite of the paranoid restrictions upon photography. This heavily illustrated (456 photos, 88 in color) survey of the Soviet Union, E. Europe, China, Korea, Vietnam and Cuba is a unique record of the waning years of a power source then virtually extinct in the West. They describe their tribulations, the locomotions, and present fair to excellent photos of the nostalgic beasts. A fine treatment for the fan and the student of transportation. Lacks maps & an index. Amereon is at Box 1200, Mattituck, NY 11952. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. Read Less