Stanier and Gresley 'Pacifics'

This post, 11th December 2012, comprises two jigsaw pictures showing large 4-6-2 ('Pacific') express locomotives designed by two of the greatest mechanical engineers, Sir William Stanier and Sir Nigel Gresley. The knighthoods give some indication of the huge contribution made by both of these men to locomotive engineering.

 

The  first jigsaw picture shows a Stanier 'Princess Coronation' class 'Pacific' locomotive, No 46229 Duchess of Hamilton in an engine shed setting, at a coaling plant; the artwork was by Terence Cuneo (1907-1996). The locomotive was one of Cuneo's favourites and is, of course, part of the National Collection in York. Cuneo was the most famous railway artist of the twentieth century. His slightly impressionistic style was favoured by many art lovers - railway enthusiasts or not - including the most discerning of art critics. Although I remain a Great Western Railway (GWR) man at heart, I must admit that this London Midland Scottish (LMS) 'Pacific' design, introduced in 1937, is my favourite among many handsome contempories. The jigsaw is a 500-piece wooden example from Wentworth titled Duchess of Hamilton on Shed. Apologies for using this picture for a second time on the blog but I think it is justified in this context.

 

The second jigsaw picture shows an equivalent locomotive from the LNER, one of Gresley's 'A4' class of 'Pacifics'. These locomotives, introduced in 1935,  were very fast with one of the class, No.4468 Mallard, holding the world speed record at 126mph. The jigsaw is a 500-piece example from Moat House Products replicating excellent artwork from David M. West. The locomotive in the picture is No.60017 Silver Fox heading the Kings Cross - Edinburgh, non-stop, 'The Captals Limited' service. The scene is painted in British Railways (BR) days, after 1948.
 

Two Wooden Puzzles

In today's post, 9th November 2012, I am showing two photographs of wooden jigsaws, both featuring artwork by one of my favourite artists, Don Breckon. I have described other examples from the same series in previous posts - 24th January 2012 and 22nd July 2012.

Wooden jigsaws are obviously more expensive than cardboard equivalents and pre-date them by around 120 years. It is widely believed that the first jigsaw puzzle, or 'dissected puzzle' as it would have been called originally, was made by London engraver and  map maker John Spilsbury c1760. Although more expensive, wooden jigsaws don't lose value at the same rate as cardboard examples and are more appropriate to pass on as family heirlooms.

The first picture, showing a 155-piece puzzle, is titled Changing Trains. Ex GWR 'Castle' class 4-6-0, No.5098 Clifford Castle, is waiting in Cornwall's Lostwithiel Station in the late 1950's with a Penzance bound passenger service. This train comprises main line chocolate and cream passenger coaches. Also in the picture is a branch line train of BR maroon suburban coaches waiting to take passengers to Fowey (as indicated on the station name board). Heading this local service is one of the little 'workhorses'of the old GWR, a '14xx' class 0-4-2T tank locomotive. 

 

 

The second picture shows a 238-piece jigsaw titled Racing the Train. The jigsaw features a superbly typical Breckon country painting showing a branch-line in the West Country.  A suburban service, headed by GWR 2-6-2 '45xx' or 'Prairie' class locomotive, No. 4570, is travelling on a single line beside a dirt track. On the track two young boys, on foot, appear to be racing the train.

The origin of these superbly cut wooden puzzles is unknown to me but they are part of a series; of the series, six puzzles are in my collection. 

National Railway Museum Jigsaws

Ryco Crafts of Ripon produced jigsaw puzzles for the National Railway Museum (NRM) in 2004 and two of them are featured in today's post, 20th October 2012.
 

 

Both puzzles comprise 500 pieces. The first, titled Steamfest, features a reproduced photograph of  two locomotives at this gala event. On the left is David Shepherd's BR class '9F' 2-10-0,  92203 which he named Black Prince. This name was not carried by any locomotive for BR.  The famous wildlife artist purchased two steam locomotives from British Railways (BR) in 1967 - No.92203 and BR 'Standard' class '4MT' 4-6-0 No.75029 which he subsequently named The Green Knight. Following a diligent search for land in south west England on which he could build a railway, David found a derelict area at Cranmore in 1971. Together with enthusiastic friends, David purchased the site and the East Somerset Railway was opened two years later. On the right hand side in the jigsaw picture is SR 'King Arthur' class 4-6-0, No.30777 Sir Lamiel, part of the National Collection.


The second jigsaw photograph depicts (Sir) Nigel Gresley's class 'A1' (later 'A10' and 'A3') 4-6-2, No.4472 Flying Scotsman, also the title of the jigsaw.The locomotive has been immortalised in many forms, not least in jigsaw puzzles. Most jigsaw manufacturers / retailers pictured Flying Scotsman  in pre-1960 form, without smoke deflectors - Falcon, Ravensburger, Arrow, Victory, Hope, W. H. Smith and Tower Press for example.The NRM issued the puzzle replicating a photograph of the locomotive with German-style smoke deflectors (affectionately known as 'blinkers') attached. The icon of UK railways became part of the National Collection in 2004, purchased for the nation with private, public and Heritage Lottery funding.

A third Ryco Crafts / NRM jigsaw puzzle published at the same time is described in the post of 11th January 2011.

Two from House of Puzzles

Today's post, 18th September, features the artwork of Keith Stapleton reproduced by jigsaw manufacturer House of Puzzles of Invergordon, Scotland.

  

The first picture shows a puzzle from the Rowan Collection, comprising 250 large, unusually shaped pieces and titled Seaside Special. The location is similar to that described in my post of 22nd July 2012 - Dawlish.  Ex GWR 4-6-0 locomotive No.4003 Lode Star was designed by George Jackson Churchward  and built in 1907. In the jigsaw picture the locomotive is shown heading familiar chocolate and cream passenger coaches along the line adjacent to the sea wall. In addition to many holiday revellers, Keith’s all-inclusive artwork features sand castles, sea gulls, a beach ball, deck chairs, an ice cream cabin, a ‘Punch and Judy’ show, a flying kite and the obligatory dog. The BR logo on the tender rather oddly dates the pic between 1956 and 1968 although the loco was withdrawn from service in 1951. Lode Star is part of the National Collection at the National Railway Museum in York.

The second picture features a 500-piece puzzle from the Ruxley Collection titled Country Crossing. This puzzle also comprises unusually shaped pieces. The jigsaw conveys the serene ambience of country village life from the 1920's/1930's. North Eastern Railway (NER) class D22, 4-4-0 locomotive No. 1537, of  T. W. Worsdell, is shown heading suburban passenger stock on a single line beside a dirt track. The scene includes a small public house, two customers seated outside, a man standing beside a bicycle and another, possibly a local farmer, approaching on a horse. A canal viaduct complete with canal boat is included in the backgound. Several geese, bees and pigeons are also included in a very busy picture. The locomotive was built in 1890 and withdrawn from LNER service in 1935. 

Two More Gresley Locomotives

In today's post, 31st August 2012, I am featuring two locomotives from classes designed by the famous GNR/LNER mechanical engineer (Sir) Nigel Gresley. 

The first pic features a wooden jigsaw of 200 pieces from Ponda which probably originated from Ian Allan. In Robert Barnard Way's artwork, Gresley's  'V2' class 2-6-0 locomotive, No.60877, (built in 1940) is shown in BR black livery  hauling a long rake of BR carmine & cream ('blood and custard') coaches over the King Edward VII bridge at Newcastle. The 'cycling lion' BR motif indicates a time period of 1948-1956 for Way's painting. The full title of the puzzle is British Railways: Southbound Express hauled by Class V2 60877, on the King Edward VII bridge, Newcastle-on-Tyne. North Eastern Region. The curved shape of the train suits the portrait style (vertical) perfectly.

The second shot is of a 500-piece puzzle from Falcon titled Flying Scotsman. The artwork is by George Heiron. Featured is Gresley's 'A1' class 4-6-2 locomotive No.2750 Papyrus. The locomotive  was built in 1929 and was upgraded to 'A3' status following a rebuild in BR days, 1963. The LNER express, Kings Cross - Edinburgh, in the picture comprises Gresley's famous teak coaches. The definite article was added to the express headboard by BR in the 1950's.

Steam with Other Modes of Transport

Artwork, showing steam trains with alternative modes of transport, has been used by jigsaw manufacturers for many years. Cars, aeroplanes, buses, canalboats and ships have been included with steam trains for different reasons, some purely pictorial, others for comparison purposes. Races between steam trains and road vehicles for instance have always been popular, and canal boats have often been used in conjunction with a busy main railway line to introduce tranquility. Today's post, 19th August 2012, includes three pictures of jigsaw puzzles showing alternative modes of transport compared and contrasted with steam locomotion.



The first pic features a jigsaw of 500 pieces from Falcon/Jumbo depicting two Spitfire aeroplanes, a steam train and a small vintage car. I am no expert on the latter but perhaps the car in the picture is an Austin Seven which was manufactured until 1939. The planes are overflying the railway which can be interpreted - wartime or peacetime -  in different ways; the train is depicted at a small rural crossing. The driver of the parked, lineside car watches intently as railway workers and train passengers wave to the pilots. The jigsaw title is Planes, Trains and Automobiles although there is only one train and one car. The artwork is by Bill Perring. The locomotive is a class 'H' 0-4-4T tank engine, No. 1263 of the  Southern Railway, previously of the South East & Chatham Railway.



Seaside Traffic, a Victory wooden jigsaw of 300 pieces, from original artwork by T. E. North, is shown in pic number two. It is a fine example of a steam train as the focal point with other examples of transport sharing the picture space. A train headed by BR 'Standard' class '7' 4-6-2, No.70001 Lord Hurcomb, is shown at speed beside a busy road. A coach, a car and caravan and a small lorry are shown on the road while to the other side of the railway line is the sea. On the sea are two passenger ships and several, small recreational craft. The puzzle is available as 'used' in  a range of sizes, 75-400 pieces.



Continental holidays were well served by the Southern Railway. In the 636-piece panoramic puzzle from Gibsons (pic number three) a luxury boat train is pictured at the Ocean Liner Terminal at Southampton. The Cunarder - a Waterloo to Southampton Pullman service - is the name of both the train and the jigsaw puzzle. The artwork is by Malcolm Root and the locomotive in his picture is ‘Battle of Britain’ class 4-6-2, No.34081 92 Squadron, which is now preserved and owned by the Battle of Britain Locomotive Society. The ocean liner in the picture is Cunard Line’s Queen Mary; a stylish, chauffeur-driven car and a couple of 1950’s coaches are added for effect. A photograph of ‘The Cunarder’ train, similar to Malcolm’s artwork but including a ‘Lord Nelson’ class 4-6-0 and a different headboard, is shown in Dave Peel’s excellent book, ‘Locomotive Headboards - The Complete Story’.



Further examples of jigsaws  featuring steam trains and other forms of transport can be seen in the following posts  - 30th July 2010 (aeroplane); 3rd October 2010 (vintage cars); 13th February 2011 (vintage cars and canal boats); 9th March 2011 (Burrell steam traction engine); 28th March 2011 (bicycle); 25th June 2011 (ship). There are many more.

The Attraction of Dawlish

In this post, 22nd July 2012, I am using three photographs of jigsaw puzzles each one replicating the same location - the sea wall at Dawlish.

The Great Western main line hosts one of the most pictorial stretches of railway in Britain. Hugging a spectacular coastline of red sandstone rock between Teignmouth and Dawlish, the line has acted like a magnet to every railway artist of distinction, the sea wall at Dawlish especially so. The line and adjacent footpath are situated in close proximity to the sea with all three hardly separated during spells of inclement weather.

The line, originally from Exeter to Teignmouth,  was opened in 1846 by the South Devon Railway Company. Later in the same year the line was extended to Newton Abbott. Isambard Kingdom Brunel engineered the line to his broad gauge and intended it to function as an atmospheric railway. The latter lasted for one year only and was abandoned in 1848 in favour of steam locomotion. The South Devon Railway became part of the Great Western Railway in 1876 and was converted to standard gauge in 1892. The following three jigsaw puzzle pictures all show the line and sea wall at Dawlish but they are by different artists.

 

The first picture shows a King jigsaw of 500 pieces from original artwork by Malcolm Root. Titled Following the Train, the jigsaw features a GWR ‘King’ class 4-6-0 No. 6000 King George V hauling chocolate and cream liveried passenger coaches in the popular location. The famous bell on the locomotive is clearly shown. A family party on holiday in Devon, complete with a baby in a large, 1950’s style pram, follows the train for a short distance. This locomotive is preserved. I have used this example in a previous post but feel justified in repeating its use in this specific context.

A slightly different viewpoint has been used by another famous artist, Don Breckon. Picture number two shows a 240-piece wooden puzzle titled On the Sea Wall although its origin is unknown to me. GWR 'King’ class 4-6-0 No.6000, King George V is again the featured locomotive in Don’s artwork. The people on the footpath are different but from the same era.

Mike Jeffries also used the sea wall for a painting replicated as a 1000-piece puzzle currently on sale at ‘The Works’ chain of stationers. Titled A Trip to the Seaside, the jigsaw features the 4-6-0 ‘Star’ class locomotive No.4003 Lode Star  but with different  pedestrians on the footpath. The locomotive was withdrawn from BR service in 1951 and is part of the National Collection based at the National Railway Museum in York. Mike  painted the same scene on another occasion but with GWR 'Hall' class 4-6-0 No.4920 Dumbleton Hall at the head of the train; this latter painting has not been used for a jigsaw puzzle however, to the best of my knowledge.

Heritage Railways

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.

Two Stations

First of all may I thank the people who email me with support for my blog. For today, 17th June 2012, I am using two pics of jigsaws each featuring a main line station.


The first pic shows a 500-piece puzzle from Ravensburger titled Derby Station, 1950's, with artwork from Robert Nixon. The station architect was Francis Thompson and the first train, a Midland Counties service to Nottingham, left from a temporary platform on 4th June 1839. The station opened completely in  the following year. It soon became known as the 'Tri-Junct Station' as it served three separate railway companies - Midland Counties, Birmingham & Derby Junction and North Midland. The three railway companies amalgamated in 1844 to become the Midland Railway Company with Derby Station as the HQ. Major changes were made to the 1050ft long station frontage in 1856 and 1872. The locomotive in the picture is a London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) 'Jubilee' class 4-6-0 No.45589 Gwalior.


The second shot shows Carlisle Citadel Station with a  LMS  4-6-2, 'Princess Coronation' class locomotive No.6233, Duchess of Sutherland, to the fore. The jigsaw is a 350-piece example from Waddingtons and the artwork is by Barry Freeman.The station was built in 1847 to serve the Lancaster & Carlisle Railway and the southern section of the Caledonian Railway. The Maryport & Carlisle Railway began to use the station in 1851 the same year that the Glasgow & South Western Railway began services. The Newcastle & Carlisle Railway used the station from 1863 having been isolated at the London Road Station previously. The North British Railway arrived in 1861. Passenger services to the station on the Midland Railway’s Settle & Carlisle line began in 1876. This brought the total number of railways using the Citadel Station to seven; what a ‘Mecca’ for the railway enthusiast. The station was built by the famous architect  Sir William Tite and named after the nearby law courts.

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 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.  The signature on the jigsaw picture is 'F. Moore'. Several artists using this name were employed by the Locomotive Publishing Company (LPC).

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". The name 'F. Moore' is strongly linked to the artist Thomas Rudd of the LPC; - he over-painted monochrome photographs, in colour. This original photograph was by F. R. Hebron.

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 includes a 'King' class 4-6-0 in a 1000 piece jigsaw, 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 1922/23 - LMS, LNER, SR and GWR, the latter retaining its pre

1922/23 identity.

Gibsons and Barry Freeman

Today's post, 7th February 2012, comprises two pictures of jigsaw puzzles that  illustrate the strong partnership, noted in previous posts, 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 Royal' 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, No.1521 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 engine driver leans out of his cab perhaps to shout "good morning" as his train trundles past. 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 postage alone would cost more the £1.22 these days. 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.

A 'Castle' and a 'King'

As the title suggests, two pictures of Great Western Railway (GWR) locomotives feature in today's post, 4th January 2011, a 'Castle' and a 'King'. Both designed by Charles Collett the locomotives were quite similar in many respects with the 'King' being often described as a 'Super Castle'. In my collection of over 400 jigsaw puzzles, all featuring British steam trains, the GWR  and Western Region of British Railways combined, provide the subjects for more jigsaw puzzles than other regional equivalents.


The first picture shows a jigsaw titled Earl Bathurst Weathering The Storm.  The Wentworth wooden puzzle of 250 pieces is reproduced from a photograph of 'Castle' class 4-6-0, No.5051 Earl Bathurst, battling against a blizzard in a rural location. The photographer is not named. Because of the extreme weather conditions the colour photograph has almost been transformed into  monochrome.

The icon of the GWR, 'King' class 4-6-0, No.6000 King George V, is shown in the second picture. The engine is liveried in British Railways (BR) express blue, the colour chosen for large, passenger express locomotives after BR was formed in 1948. Unfortunately, the jigsaw picture, from original artwork by T. E. North, was printed with a red cast resulting in a purple locomotive and red bridge components. 'Cornish Riviera Express' is the title of this 400-piece jigsaw from Family Favourite. The famous express is pictured exiting the Royal Albert Bridge spanning the River Tamar at Saltash. The bridge designer was the great Isambard Kingdom Brunel and it was officially opened on 2nd May 1859 by Prince Albert; Brunel died four months later.