This post, 28th June 2011, comprises pics of three jigsaws all depicting the same locomotive and in two cases, the same train.
The locomotive. Probably the most famous locomotive in the UK is Sir Nigel Gresley's 'A1' (later 'A10' and 'A3') class 4-6-2, Flying Scotsman. The pioneer of the class No.1470 Great Northern appeared on the Great Northern Railway (GNR) in 1922. The third one, No.1472 (later, Flying Scotsman), emerged a year later. Although built by the GNR, a predecessor of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), Flying Scotsman wasn't named immediately. The locomotive was the first to enter service on the new LNER on 22nd February 1923. She acquired her famous name and number 4472 in 1924 for her appearance at the British Empire Exhibition. In 1934 she became the first UK locomotive to 'officially' break the 100mph speed barrier. She was re-numbered again as 502 then 103 under 1943/1946 schemes and, in British Railways (BR) days, became No.60103.
The locomotive. Probably the most famous locomotive in the UK is Sir Nigel Gresley's 'A1' (later 'A10' and 'A3') class 4-6-2, Flying Scotsman. The pioneer of the class No.1470 Great Northern appeared on the Great Northern Railway (GNR) in 1922. The third one, No.1472 (later, Flying Scotsman), emerged a year later. Although built by the GNR, a predecessor of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), Flying Scotsman wasn't named immediately. The locomotive was the first to enter service on the new LNER on 22nd February 1923. She acquired her famous name and number 4472 in 1924 for her appearance at the British Empire Exhibition. In 1934 she became the first UK locomotive to 'officially' break the 100mph speed barrier. She was re-numbered again as 502 then 103 under 1943/1946 schemes and, in British Railways (BR) days, became No.60103.
The train. In 1862 and for the next 100 years the express that ultimately became the 'Flying Scotsman', operated under several guises between Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley. The derivation of the name is difficult to research but in early timetables the train was often referred to as the 'Special Scotch Express'. A children's book, The Book of Trains c1890-1891, carries an illustration of a GNR express called the 'Flying Scotchman'. Even earlier, 1880, an engraving from the London Evening News features a railway accident involving the 'Flying Scotchman'. And a postcard c1906 shows a 4-4-2 GNR locomotive heading the 'Flying Scotsman'. None of these examples featured a locomotive headboard. The express was officially named the 'Flying Scotsman' c1924 to coincide with the emergence of the locomotive of the same name. A locomotive headboard appeared c1928.
Pic number one shows the locomotive and train in a 1000-piece jigsaw from Past Times. The artist is not named although it is certainly Mike Jefferies.
The second also features the loco and train but the puzzle is a 1000-piece example from W.H. Smith. The illustrative artwork is by Peter Bradshaw.
The third pic shows a 64-piece jigsaw from Philmar. The locomotive has been photographed with maintenance men on the buffer beam. Perhaps they have fitted the headboard. Interestingly, the headboard uses the definite article, originally but rarely used in 1946 but often used in BR days, from the early 1950's.
Remember - if you carry out a little Internet research on the jigsaw taking shape before you, it makes the whole experience more interesting and rewarding.
