The name Whitman is synonymous with jigsaw puzzles featuring Heritage Railways, and steam railways in particular. Whitman covered many such railways during the 60's and 70's with their 400-piece 'Steam Railways' series. There were three 'Steam Railways' series, (7414, 7525 and 7714) each of four puzzles, all reproducing photographs of variable quality. Also collectible is the 'Great Little Trains of Wales' series (7695) of six, 400-piece puzzles. Today's post, 2nd July 2012, focuses on two more jigsaws featuring Heritage or Preserved Railways. Over one hundred establishments with preserved railway lines can be visited in the UK.
The first picture features the North Yorkshire Moors Railway based at Pickering. The line runs from Pickering to Grosmont and hosts a station in the village of Goathland, the setting for ITV's popular programme, 'Heartbeat'. From Grosmont passengers may join a Network Rail line to Whitby. The NYMR also run services through to the seaside town. The jigsaw in the picture is a 250-piece, wooden example from Wentworth simply titled North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The locomotive in the picture is an ex Southern Railway'S15' class, No.825, originally designed by Robert Urie. The class of
4-6-0s were initially seen on the London & South West Railway from 1920;
No.825 was built in 1927 and withdrawn from BR service
in 1964. She was one of the second batch of 'S15's modified by Richard Maunsell. The location in the picture is Goathland station.
Before the railway from Grosmont to Pickering was completed in 1975 the line had been opened in stages from its humble origin in 1968.
The second picture shows a scene from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway based at Keighley in Yorkshire. A Preservation Society was formed in 1962 to save the line following closure by British Railways. The 4.5miles long line runs from Keighley to Oxenhope and was formally opend in 1967. Although much shorter that the NYMR it is just as scenic as it passes through 'Bronte' country at Hawarth. The picture features an 0-6-0ST saddle tank locomotive but the number is unclear. The jigsaw is a 400-piece example from Whitman titled Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.