As the name suggests this is a book for building locos thus it is for serious railroaders that want to put into practice what live steam locos are all about. This is the best book on the topic, but expertise in machining is required or access to a talented machinist with a fabrication shop. Very infrequently a used live steam loco is available to buy, some of these locos were custom built while others were manufactured by specialty locomotive works for amusement parks or private garden railways. In light of the development of the steam locomotive in the mid 19th century mid size and smaller locos were also produced. Some English manor houses in the 19th century even included small trains to cross their large properties. Today these rare live steam locos of small scale may need full restoration to produce steam again safely. If your hobby ever expands to a loco that puffs steam and sports a seat this book will be a great guidebook to understand the complexities of these machines. But never do anything with steam on your own seek out the assistance of those with experience, this book being a helpful guide only: So You Want to Build a Live Steam Locomotive, Wildwood Publications, 1974.