The USA has a large number of preserved lines some of which offer steam as the normal motive power.

This tape looks at 6 of the lines, each with a different flavour and each distinct in character; from the 3' gauge lines of Colorado, The Durango and Silverton and The Cumbries & Toltec. Standard gauge lines include The Strasburg Railroad, and the former logging lines of West Virginia known as the Cass Scenic Railroad which runs a fleet of Shay geared locomotives. A further 3' gauge line is The East Broadtop railroad. The tape finishes with a footplate ride on Baldwin 2-8-0 No. 1702 on The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad on the steep climb to Andrews North Carolina.

The Southern and then Norfolk Southern Railroad steam programme ran for 28 years until 1994. In the last few years excursion trains were based upon the availability of the former Norfolk Western 4-8-4 streamlined J Class No. 611, the simple articulated 2-6-6-4 A Class No. 1218 and former Southern Baldwin 2-8-2 No. 4501. Added to this were other preserved mainline locomotives including former Nickel Plate Road Baldwin 2-8-2 No. 587.

In 1991 the steam programme celebrated 25 years of continuous excursions with a gala dinner in Chattanooga followed the next day by a triple headed excursion out of the city.

This tape covers some of the steam excursions run by Norfolk Southern at this period and highlights all 4 locomotives hard at work throughout the eastern U.S.A. A feature covers the regular climb of the Old Fort Loops in western North Carolina where trains must climb up the Appalachian Mountains to reach the city of Ashville a popular destination for NRHS members.

Steam in the western U.S.A. on both standard and 3' gauges featuring The Grand Canyon, Durango & Silverton, Georgetown Loop, Yosemite Sugar Pine and Roaring Camp Railroads. The focus is on 2-8-2 Mikados and geared locomotives designed for the logging industry, including Shay and Heisler designs. See them climb on 12% grades.

Also visits the railroad museum at Sacramento to see 100 year old American classics.