Book excerpt: This text celebrates 150 years of the London Midland and Scottish Railway retelling in words and pictures the full story, from the earliest beginnings with the opening of the London and Birmingham line through the problem-ridden years following the amalgamation in 1923 to 1998. The book presents the story with contributions from experts in all fields including many who worked on the line, and explores the ramifications of what was once the world's largest commercial organization.