1. The dream time -- 2. Mr. Millar and his coolies -- 3. The Palmerston division -- 4. Under new management -- 5. Leaping Lena Days -- 6. The Never-Never Line at war -- 7. The million-ton railway -- 8. A 'national act of faith' -- Appendices: Locomotives; Rolling stock; Rail cars; Stations, sidings and yards; Signalling and safeworking