In 1840 the Birmingham & Gloucester Railway commenced operation, giving an important outlet to the trade and industry of the West Midlands through Gloucester Docks. The Birmingham & Gloucester became absorbed into the Midland Railway during the 1840s. The line's most famous feature is the Lickey Incline from Bromsgrove to Blackwell. This book traces the history, mainly during the steam era, of the route from Birmingham to Cheltenham, both the original 'Old Road' through Spetchley and the loop through Worcester. It became a vital and busy artery of the Midland Railway, later the LMS and BR. Informative captions enhance the pictures, which are not just of trains and locomotives but also cover stations, signal boxes, freight yards and tunnels, the whole giving a good account of the line's fortunes over the years. This title will be in two parts - the second part will look at the Cheltenham to Bristol section. Together the books give an unrivalled comprehensive photographic coverage of steam days on this very important cross-countryroute.