A Christmas Errand

Apologies, but due to ill health and hospitalisation recently, I could not add a post at Christmas. However I hope that all of my viewers had a super Christmas and will have a healthy and posperous New Year. Today's post, 27th December 2024, is the example I wanted to post at Christmas - a 250, large piece jigsaw from Gibsons titled Christmas Errand. Kevin Walsh has captured part of the 'spirit' of the festive season with a canvas including waiting passengers at a train station - two children, parents(?) wrapped parcels, a christmas tree, and a handsome train approaching the platform. The engine appears to be one of the small 'workhorses' of the Great Western Railway; an 0-4-2 tank type heading chocolate and cream liveried clerestory coaches. The picture invites you to imagine a story unfolding before you.

The jigsaw was marketed in c2011.

Another double from Kevin Walsh

In this post, 4 November 2024, I am showing another jigsaw featuring artwork by the prolific artist Kevin Walsh which, at first sight, has been used previously by another jigsaw company. But has it? The jigsaw title is Station Buffet (bottom below) but look at my post of 18 December 2015 and observe carefully, the puzzle titled Little Spotters (top below) from Gibsons. Can you see any changes made by Kevin in the more modern puzzle picture, Station Buffet. Both puzzles are of 1000 pieces but Station Buffet, is made by Kidicraft under the Kevin Walsh 'Nostalgia' brand. The locomotive in both puzzles is described in the 2015 post but I will add the following point of history - No.4588 was among the first locomotives to leave Barry Scrapyard, the 11th to leave (1972). I have included both puzzles below, to make it easy for comparison.The two make up the third double, in my collection, showing the artwork of Kevin Walsh. The most easily recognised changes in the modern puzzle are the addition of a cat, the absence of a brass, safety valve cover on the engine and the alterations to the trees. Can you spot any more changes?

Class 'A4' on the Severn Valley Railway.

Today, 17 October 2024, I am featuring a jigsaw showing a visitor to the Heritage, Great Western Railway - The Severn Valley Railway (SVR). The scene comprises the Tenbury Wall and a passing ex LNER 'A4' class 4-6-2, No.4498 Sir Nigel Gresley; the latter heading a passenger service. The locomotive, owned by 'The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust' (SNGLT) has been seconded to other Heritage Railways to glamorise 'Special Events,' and hence, boost attendances. The excellent photograph by Philip Wilson SNGLT has been used for the 1000-piece jigsaw below, made by Great British Jigsaws, for the SNGLT - see the website, 4498.org.uk The title of the jigsaw is 4498 on Tenbury Wall, SVR.

. The thirty-five 'A4' class locomotives were built between 1935 and 1938, at the Doncaster Works of the LNER (London & North Eastern Railway). Six are preserved - 3 in England, 1 in Scotland, 1 in Canada and 1 in the USA. No.4498 was built in 1937 and justifiably carries the name of the revered locomotive designer. It holds the post-war steam record of 112mph. As No.4468 Mallard, holds the world steam record, at 126mph, it is clear that this Gresley class of 4-6-2's was powerful, extremely fast, and aesthetically handsome in appearance.

Santa Express

A special 1000-piece, panoramic Christmas jigsaw is the subject of today's post - 1st October 2024. The jigsaw, titled 2023 Santa Express was produced by Hunter Price International Limited "with metallic details". The jigsaw is marketed as a Limited Edition by Shaws. Some of the artwork has been used in an earlier jigsaw which can be viewed in the post of 30th July 2019. Titled Steam Train in the Snow the earlier, smaller puzzle of 500-pieces, was sold at the Wilko Stores.

A copy of the jigsaw from July 2019 is included below, for comparison - differences are obvious. The 2023 version includes much more detail in the panoramic composition; a prominent robin to the left hand side is very attractive. Metallic details, not seen in the photograph, are clearly seen when viewing the jigsaw under certain lighting conditions and a special attraction during assembly.

The Jigasaurus, (press the link to the right) features a few wooden puzzles made by Shaw & Co. Ltd, from the 1930's.

Spirit of Sandringham

We are back to normal again and fully functioning. Today's post, 17 September 2024, features a new build 4-6-0 locomotive, currently under construction for the 'B17' Steam Locomotive Trust. The locomotive will carry number and name 61673 Spirit of Sandringham. The 'B17' locomotive, No.61600 Sandringham, is pictured on a 1000-piece jigsaw from JHG Jigsaws (Grovely) as it passes through Wolferton Station. The jigsaw is titled Sandringham at Home and the artist is Malcolm Root. This painting and a second by Malcolm titled Kilverton Hall at March Station can be viewed at www.b17steamloco.com Wolferton railway station, in Norfolk, opened in 1862 to serve the village of the same name. At around the same time the local Sandringham Estate was acquired by Queen Victoria for the Prince of Wales (later, King Edward VII). The station was then used on private or ceremonial occasions by the Royal Family, heads of state and for important politicians etc., to disembark on their way to stay at Sandringham House. Because of the latter, the station became known as a 'Royal' station; such railway journeys continued until the station’s closure in 1969. Subsequently, Wolferton station was converted for use as a museum and is currently preserved in private hands. The signal box and part of the station are ‘listed’ buildings.

Number six from David Noble

In today's post, 28 June 2024, the David Noble-Gibsons partnership continues, with this 1000-piece puzzle titled Nearly Home. David's five previous paintings used by Gibsons have all appeared previously on this blog.

Two 'older' ladies are walking home from the shops on a very wet day, possibly, in the 1950's. They are dressed appropriately, ("well wrapped up", as my mother used to say) in heavy coats - one with a huge collar, mostly hiding the face - boots and hats. Chatting as they walk, of note are shopping bags beside them. Four Old Gals is the title on the Guild of Railway Artists' website. The class 9F 2-10-0 locomotive and the old austin/morris car (let me know if you can identify the car) are, obviously, the other two 'old gals'. David's composition blends extremely well and wet surfaces are handled expertly. The empty milk bottles and note (I remember them well) add that little bit more interest.

More from Kevin Walsh

Today's jigsaw, of 1000-pieces from Ravensburger, features another Kevin Walsh painting, this one titled Exploring the Dales - number two in the Leisure Days series. How this man manages to squeeze so many subjects into a single composition amazes me. This is certainly a jigsaw for the person who seeks impact with a capital 'I', (one who enjoys saturated colours, light and shade, and a variety of shapes and subjects, all presented in a creative composition). Kevin's painting certainly fits this criteria; but as it also includes the obligatory steam train, it fits this blog also. The locomotive in charge of a passenger service, about to traverse a canal bridge, is LMS (London Midland and Scottish Railway), 'Jubilee' class 4-6-0 No.5690, Leander - as seen in the modern preservation era.

The following text forms part of the jigsaw description included with the puzzle. "A day in the countryside can involve so many different activities. You might choose to enjoy a good walk, take your motorbike or car out for a run, enjoy a meal at a country pub, hop on board a boat or even enjoy the magic of steam. This lovely scene depicts just some of the leisure activities waiting to be discovered in the wonderful landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales". Enjoying such acivities are many holidaymakers and day trippers including children; walking/trekking, sailing at a sedate speed on different canal boats or enjoying a picnic. Prominent in the picture also are three cars, a single deck bus, two motorbikes with sidecars, many bird species, several dogs, a picturesque pub and an idyllic farmland background.

Another from David Noble

Today's post, 24 April 2024, features a fifth David Noble painting described on this blog - a sixth will be posted in the near future. Titled Countryside Love, this fifth jigsaw painting is featured on a 100XXL 'special' puzzle from Gibsons - comprising 100 pieces, each five times larger than normal. This puzzle is ideal for people who get impatient with larger puzzles, those who have impaired vision, mental or tactile problems, and for children. The same title is also issued as a 1000-piece, standard example.

In David's painting a man is pictured with his girlfriend, lying side by side in a field, with a classic car closeby. Above, in the distance, a Stanier 'Princess Coronation' class locomotive is roaring past with an express passenger service, on the West Coast Main Line. On the Guild of Railway Artists's website David's painting is titled The Other Woman hinting at the possible choice the man will have to make in the future.

Spotters at Carlisle

In a previous post, 28th March 2021, a painting by David Noble - Spotters at Doncaster - was used for a Gibsons' jigsaw of 1000 pieces. Today's jigsaw, 28th March 2024, titled Spotters at Carlisle is of similar size, duplicating another of David's not dissimilar canvasses.

Stanier 'Princess Coronation' class 4-6-2 No.46231 Duchess of Atholl is stationary in Carlisle Citadel Station at the head of a rake of coaches being accessed by a number of passengers. Schoolboy trainspotters admire the engine after 'copping' the number and name, and adults soak up the sheer power and majesty of one of steam railways' classic locomotive designs. In the background another of Sir William Stanier's creations, an unidentified Black Five 4-6-0, waiting on an adjacent platform, attracts less interest.

Cuneo's Forth Bridge painting

Terence Cuneo's famous painting of the Forth Rail Bridge is featured in today's post, 6th March 2024. He painted the scene for the British Railways (BR) Board in 1952 to be used as an advertising poster for holidays in Scotland. The painting has recently been issued as a jigsaw of 1000 pieces marketed by Birlinn Ltd of Edinburgh. The jigsaw, titled The Forth Rail Bridge, is shown below.

Paintings of the iconic bridge have appeared in other jigsaws on this blog. Go to the previous posts of 7th February 2011, 9th July 2018 and 1st October 2020 for a detailed description of the bridge, including some interesting, historical facts. I have repeated the picture of the full BR poster below, for interest (previously pictured in the 9th July 2018 post).