More 'Age of Steam' from Arrow

Many jigsaws featuring steam trains became part of the Arrow Games portfolio from the company's launch in 1965. Arrow was very successful for just over twenty years (but as part of the American, Milton Bradley Group, from 1972). This post, 27th May 2012, includes pictures of two jigsaws from one of the 500-piece, The Age of Steam series, this duo from the 1978 series. The latter was probably the worst series in terms of print quality.



The first pic is of a jigsaw titled B1 at York and features a London & North Eastern Railway (LNER)  'B1' class 4-6-0 locomotive of Edward Thompson approaching York Station heading a rake of Gresley teak coaches. Four hundred and ten 'B1s' were built by the LNER and British Railways (BR) between 1942 and 1952. Two are preserved.





The second pic is of a jigsaw depicting a Stanier class '5' 4-6-0 locomotive of (Sir) William Stanier leaving Birmingham New Street Station. The artwork is by the late George Heiron. The class of eight hundred and forty five locomotives was built between 1934 and 1951 by the LMS (London Midland & Scottish Railway) and BR. They were always known as 'Black Fives'. Eighteen 'Black Fives' have survived into preservation.

A Boxed Pair from Ravensburger

Ravensburger is a famous name in jigsaw puzzle manufacturing. This German Company began as a publishing company in 1883 and started making jigsaw puzzles in 1964. In the same year, subsidiaries were opened throughout Europe, including the UK. Ravensburger puzzles and boxes are renowned for their quality and durability. 

In this post, 5th May 2012, I am using two photographs of Ravensburger jigsaw puzzles depicting UK steam railways which are in current production as a boxed pair. The inclusive (box) title is The Magic of Steam although each puzzle is individually titled also. Each one comprises 500 pieces and reproduces artwork by Trevor Mitchell. A previously marketed pair by Ravensburger was titled Railway Memories. 

The first photograph shows the 500-piece puzzle titled Sir Nigel Gresley at Grosmont Station. This station is situated on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, one of many Heritage Railways in the UK. The locomotive, No.60007 Sir Nigel Gresley,  is from the 'A4' class of 4-6-2 locomotives and is named after its designer who was the Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). Among this 'A4' class was the famous Mallard, holder of the world record of 126mph for steam locomotives.

The second photograph shows the new-build A.H. Peppercorn 'A1' class 4-6-2 locomotive, No.60163 Tornado, heading a famous Great Western Railway (GWR) express. This puzzle is titled Tornado hauls the Torbay Express. The locomotive, main line tested at the end of 2008, first hauled this express in 2009.  The Torbay Express is depicted running along the sea wall at Dawlish, one of the most famous vantage points for artists/photographers on Britain's railways. The original Torbay Express was a Paddington - Torquay - Paignton service but more recently, a Bristol - Torquay - Paignton - Kingswear service, via Weston -super- Mare.



If you wish to review previous Ravensburger, steam railway jigsaw puzzles featured on this blog, just input Ravensburger into the search bar at the top of the blog and the relevant posts will be identified.

Jigsaw in Monochrome

The jigsaw described in this post, 6th April 2012, is a very unusual example.

When one considers that the steam age and monchrome photography coincided for over one hundred years it is surprising that very few jigsaw puzzles replicate black and white photographs. Although not reproduced from a particularly good, original photograph (compared with modern examples) a monochrome jigsaw in my collection, of 550 pieces, was made by  Robert Frederick Ltd., and titled The Silver Jubilee Steam Train 1935; it was issued in 2004. The photograph depicts the 'A4' class 4-6-2 locomotive, No.2509 Silver Link, heading the famous express. This engine was one of four specially designed by (Sir) Nigel Gresley in 1935 to head the express train.  A further thirty one 'A4's' were built to complete the class. Because of similarities within the grey tones this puzzle takes longer to complete than a corresponding coloured jigsaw. The small right hand side pieces are non-interlocking with each other, another problem associated with this puzzle.

The Flying Scotsman Express

Two small Victory jigsaws of 45 and 50 wooden pieces comprise today's post, 28th March 2012. They are from similar original artwork but manufactured several years apart.

The first picture is of the 45-piece puzzle in the TP0 series. The price on the box is 2s/8d (around 13 pence) which corresponds to 45-piece TP0 puzzles on sale between the years 1947 and 1950 (ref. Brian P. Price "Victory Jigsaw Puzzles" 1999). The puzzle is titled Flying Scotsman Express and shows the Nigel Gresley 'A1' class 4-6-2 locomotive, No.4476 Royal Lancer, heading a rake of Gresley teak coaches along the East Coast Main Line c1929. The locomotive was originally built to a class 'A1' design in 1923 but was rebuilt to a class 'A3' design in 1946.  Unfortunately I cannot decipher the artists name on the box lid or the jigsaw puzzle.

The second picture shows an earlier pic of the same artwork but of 50 pieces. According to the Brian P. Price guide, this is probably a 1932 issue as it does not have any letters/numbers attributed on the box label. The price was 1/- (5pence).  The title is a rather long Up Non-Stop "Flying Scotsman" Express. L.N.E.R. 4-6-2 Locomotive No. 4476 "Royal Lancer". Once again, the artist's name cannot be read.

Also shown as a third picture, is the small brochure dated 1936,  given with some Victory puzzles describing the 'Flying Scotsman' train, locomotives, route and timetable.

Artist Malcolm Root

In previous posts I have described the work of famous railway artists such as Don Breckon, John Austin and Barry Freeman which has been used by jigsaw manufacturers. In this post, 18th March 2012, I will reproduce the format with respect to another famous railway artist, Malcolm Root. 


A son of Colchester, born in 1950, Malcolm Root has since lived in Halstead, Essex. He has put Halstead on the map to people outside the south east through his painting and subsequent 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, Steam Train at Halstead, manufactured by King.

When he was still at secondary school Malcolm achieved second place in a National Art Competition sponsored by Brooke Bond and at sixteen years of age left school to pursue a career in the printing trade. He continued to paint however, watercolours at first, oils later. After much self-examination and reflection, he decided in 1981 to become a full time artist. Commissions followed at regular intervals, particularly from his friends, but also assisted by several small exhibitions.

Malcolm's greatest interest is in 20^thcentury transport and its impact on ordinary people.The leisurely way that people travelled before the car became the dominant mode of travel  is of particular interest to him and is mirrored in many of his paintings. His skill as a top railway artist has benefited from fond memories of steam train travel in the late 1950’s and 1960’s when the steam age was undergoing many changes, and ultimately, ended. As a result of his mastery of his trade he was elected a Full Member of the Guild of Railway Artists (GRA) in 1983 and had pictures hung in GRA exhibitions. Subsequently he has had four books of his paintings published  including two of his railway paintings - The Railway Paintings of Malcolm Root (1996), and Malcolm Root’s Railway Paintings (2004). In 2010 he was awarded the distinction of Fellow of the Guild of Railway Artists.

Many Malcolm Root paintings have been reproduced as jigsaw puzzles by King, Wentworth and Waddington/Hasbro. Wentworth has replicated at least 19 of his paintings. He is a master at recreating the power and majesty of steam railways on canvas and generating a nostalgic ambience that appeals to people who can instantly recall such indelible images.  Following are pictures of two such jigsaw puzzles.

 

The sea wall at Dawlish has always been popular with artists and Malcolm’s painting, subsequently reproduced as a 500-piece jigsaw by King, titled Following the Train, shows a GWR ‘King’ class 4-6-0, No. 6000 King George V, hauling chocolate and cream liveried passenger stock in the popular location. The famous bell on the locomotive is clearly shown. A family party complete with a baby in a large, 1950’s style pram, follows the train for a short distance.

The second picture also shows a King jigsaw but of 1000 pieces, titled Steamtrains. It is a montage of eight of Malcolm's paintings expertly blended together to make a superb jigsaw puzzle. They include representatives from each of the four railway companies formed in 1922.

Gibsons and Barry Freeman

Today's post, 7th February 2012, comprises two pictures of jigsaw puzzles that  illustrate, once again, the strong partnership between jigsaw manufacturer Gibsons and the railway artist Barry Freeman. Both jigsaws are of the 636-piece panoramic format.

Picture number one shows the puzzle titled Winter Wayfarers. Barry's painting shows a LMS, streamlined ‘Coronation’ class locomotive hauling the ‘Coronation Scot’ express beside the Oxford Canal at Stretton-under-Fosse in Warwickshire. The crack express is in blue and silver ‘uniform’ and headed by Stanier 4-6-2 No.6221 Queen Elizabeth. On the adjacent canal a rather rotund lady almost fills the deck of a narrow boat, travelling in the opposite direction, with a second boat just ahead. A man and his dog look on inquisitively  - a wonderful jigsaw puzzle from an equally superb painting. 

Picture number two, of jigsaw The Last Days, shows a Freeman painting of two, huge Stanier 4-6-2 locomotives, both in wartime black livery.  The location is Roade Station in Northamptonshire and the date, 1947. On the left is 'Princess Coronation' class No.6233 Duchess of Sutherland passing through with a southbound express. On the right, waiting for 'right away' with a southbound parcels train, is 'Princess Roya'l class No. 6203 Princess Margaret Rose. Typical of Barry, an old bus, a Bristol JO 5G of the United Counties Bus Company, is included in the background.

Two More From Wentworth

Today's post, 21st February 2012, comprises two pictures of Wentworth wooden jigsaws.

The first is a 250-piece example titled GWR Castle on Broadlands Viaduct. The artwork is courtesy of Mike Jeffries. The 'Castle' class 4-6-0  depicted is No.4099 Kilgerran Castle. It was built in 1926 and was designed by GWR Chief Mechanical Engineer, Charles Collett. However there is a twist in the tail for this puzzle. Mike also has an original painting on his website titled GWR Castle on Broadsands Viaduct featuring 'Castle' class locomotive No.4089 Donnington Castle. It is almost the same as the Wentworth picture but not quite.

The plot thickens. Broadsands Viaduct is an Isambard Kingdom Brunel structure near Churston in Devon; it is on the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway. I can find no reference to a Broadlands Viaduct.

The second picture shows the 250-piece wooden jigsaw titled The Mallard, from Malcolm Root's original artwork. Malcolm has reproduced on canvas, the 1938 record run of the famous 'A4' class 4-6-2 locomotive, No.4468 Mallard, which had been  built earlier in the same year. The locomotive, dynomometer car and six coaches reached a speed of 126 mph when descending Stoke Bank on the LNER main line.  The locomotive is part of the National Collection at York.

A Jigsaw Miscelleny

Several locomotives from different origins feature in today's post, 3rd Februaury 2012, (as jigsaw puzzle pictures) hence the title.

The first picture shows a 200-piece jigsaw from Falcon titled Cookham Manor and Burton Agnes Hall. The double heading GWR pair are part of the 'Steamtrains' series 2, of 1982. The orignal artwork was by Paul S Gribble. Charles Collett designed the 4-6-0 'Manor' class and Frederick Hawsworth the 'Modified Hall' class of larger 4-6-0s.

The Main Line Station, a 400-piece Terminus puzzle from Tower Press, shown in picture number two, is one of very few puzzles to show station office staff in close up. Two male staff, one wearing headphones,  are overlooking the main lines from an elevated office. They have push button equipment, two telephones and an automated diagram of the local rail system before them. Two Gesley 'Pacifics' are standing at the platforms beneath. The artist is not named but the graphic artwork is clear and colour saturated, ideal for jigsaw puzzles.

In 1985 Waddingtons produced a set of four jigsaw puzzles, each one replicating a postage stamp depicting a Terence Cuneo painting. They made a handsome and popular set. The set comprised the Flying Scotsman (17p stamp), Golden Arrow (22p), Cheltenham Flyer (29p) and Royal Scot (31p).  Picture number three in this post shows the puzzle depicting the 22p stamp. But why was there no fifth puzzle replicating the Cornish Riviera Express on the 43p stamp? 

Artist Don Breckon

In previous posts I have selected favourite artists John Austin and Barry Freeman and described their influences on railway art used in the jigsaw trade. Today, 24th January 2012, I am doing likewise for another of my favourite artists, Don Breckon.

When I cast my admiring eye over Don's railway paintings I immediately think of the interaction between the community and the permanent way. For example, in some pictures people may be pausing from work, relaxation or recreation while simultaneously admiring a steam train, in awe of the power and majesty on view before them. In others, children may be fascinated onlookers, watching and learning or simply waving to passengers, or playing beside a line; or a family may be enjoying a picnic within view of a line. A father may be talking to locomotive or station staff as his son looks on inquisitively. Railwaymen may be watching proudly in an engine shed, as their powerful iron steed leaves for duty or roars past on a nearby line. Passengers may be waiting for the next train, exiting or boarding a standing train or just conversing. My instinct tells me that Don invites you to be part of his painting. When he captures a steam train on canvas it never totally dominates the picture; it is an integral part, just like a leading actor in a film. Whether he paints a main line express or a small local train on a rural branch line, Don will find the perfect aspect to paint it.

The two pictures I have chosen today reflect the descriptions above. They are both wooden puzzles of ~240 pieces, expertly cut, but by whom is a mystery. They are part of a series purchased privately on the Internet.

The first picture shows a jigsaw replicating the Breckon painting Sunday Working, also the jigsaw title. A Great Western Railway (GWR) 'Grange' class 4-6-0 locomotive of Charles Collett, No.6861 Crynant Grange, is shown heading a Sunday passenger service past a group of admiring railway workers. The title of the jigsaw relates  to the train and the railwaymen, possibly on 'overtime'.




Picture number two from the Breckon painting Morning Delivery, features a small 0-4-4T tank locomotive of the Southern Railway (SR), designed by  Harry Wainwright. The loco is heading a couple of SR green coaches past a cottage in the English countryside. Outside the cottage a postman leans against his bicycle as he chats to the cottage owner. The title of both the painting and the jigsaw relates strongly to the train and the two male subjects. The chickens add further rural interest.

Three LMS Locomotives

Following the recent jigsaws depicting Great Western Railway locomotives, I have chosen two for today's post, 18th January 2012, depicting London Midland Scottish Railway (LMS) locomotives.

The first photograph shows a jigsaw of 400 pieces made by Good Companion. There is a lot going on in this puzzle, titled Euston Station. The streamlined 'Coronation Scot' express train, in blue and white livery (including matching coaches) is the focal point. This famous Euston -  Glasgow express, was named to coincide with the year of the Coronation of King George VI. It was headed, initially, by Stanier 'Coronation' class 4-6-2, No.6220 Coronation, and a record speed of 114mph was achieved on the inaugural 'Press' run on 29th June 1937. Euston Station at Euston Grove was opened in 1937 and extended in 1846. The Great Hall was opened three years later. The London to Birmingham line took five years to build and impressive Doric Arches were built over the approaches to both Euston and Birmingham Curzon Street Stations. The original choice for the London Terminus had been Camden, but this was changed, later, to Euston. Also in the picture is 'Royal Scot' class 4-6-0 No.6110 Grenadier Guardsman, one of a class of locomotives introduced in 1927 by Henry Fowler. They were completely rebuilt later by a Stanier /Ivatt/ Cox  partnership. In addition to five trains and two locomotives, also included in the jigsaw picture are clock, passengers, porters, newspaper stand and platform numbers.

The second jigsaw picture shows the least expensive puzzle in my collection. It was purchased from ebay in 1998 and cost just £1.22, inclusive of postage.  The 200-piece puzzle by JR Puzzles shows the LMS, 'Crimson Lake' liveried 4-6-0  'Jubilee' class locomotive, No.5690 Leander, also the title of the puzzle. The 191 'Jubilee' class locomotives were built between 1934 and 1936, designed by (Sir) William Stanier - four are preserved, including Leander.