We start with a fireless loco at Gravesend, Kent, then move onto a huge cement works at Swanscombe where six engines are in action.

Two coal mines near Dover are next. A CEGB station at Bedford still operated a tank engine. A power station at Acton, London, had steam traction well after it ceased on BR. They handled coal trains leaving the main line from Euston.

London Transport also had steam engines still in use at this time. We see the ex-Great Western pannier tanks at work at Neasden hauling a London Transport steam crane at an accident. Later they take part in a ceremony to end the use of steam by LT. A run through the City to Neasden depot.

A trip to Wales reveals many locomotives still hard at work trundling over uneven tracks, spewing out hot cinders! Six coal mines are featured: Mountain Ash, Blaenavon, Maesteg, Pontypool, Pontardulais and Abervan.

Finally a big feature on the spoil trains in Belfast. Two big tanks on each train dragging rock from a quarry to the city to make up a a new road.