First edition. Printed by Hadden Best & Co. Ipswich for the Author. 1977. 8" x 6". 18pp. Original pictorial stapled blue wraps. A little sunned to covers. A meticulously researched monograph, with appendices. Scarce. In 1874 the engine, railway and six Englishmen left Ipswich for Shanghai in the SS Glenroy via the new Suez Canal. These men, with a Chinese workforce, laid the first railroad in China’s history along with bridges, turntables and stations from Shanghai to Woosung. By July 1876 the line was open and a passenger service was running six trains a day. A diplomatic incident arose, negotiations took place. The Chinese authorities raised the cash to buy the line and on 22 October 1877 the line was immediately torn up and shipped to Formosa with all the rolling stock. Less than two years after work commenced on the line there was no trace left.