La Locomotive A Vapeur

Transport & Engineering Biography & Memoir History

La Locomotive A Vapeur by French engineering legend André Chapelon is the definitive hardcover study of steam locomotive design, prized by railfans and transportation historians alike. First published in 2000, this weighty 631-page volume blends technical drawings and archival photographs to trace the evolution of steam power across Europe.

The book arrives in very good condition, protected by its original illustrated dust jacket and showing only a faint scuff on the closed page edge. Inside, the pages remain crisp, unmarked, and free of creases or tears, while the binding stays tight after decades off the press. A pair of tiny spots on the front blank flyleaf are the only minor cosmetic note.

Collectors seeking antiquarian transport titles, hobbyists building model railways, or engineers curious about historic thermodynamic advances will find Chapelon’s insights both accessible and authoritative. The English translation opens Chapelon’s French masterpiece to a wider audience of young adults and adults fascinated by true stories of innovation on the rails.

This smoke-free copy makes an impressive shelf statement and a ready reference for anyone passionate about trains, railway heritage, and the golden age of steam.