Posters, during the steam era, were extremely common around railway stations and have become collectors items today. Carefully planned original illustrations were completed with bright, block colours and coupled with legends aimed, unashamedly, at prospective customers. They were full of impact if devoid of small detail. Many such posters were based around famous locomotives or named trains.
Today's post, 20th October 2015, includes three pictures in a block colour style, probably with a digital influence, each featuring a famous London & North Eastern Railway Company (LNER) locomotive. The first two have been used in a previous post but the three together constitute a fine tribute to three historic locomotives and their designer, Sir Nigel Gresley.
All are of 500 pieces and marketed by Demand Media Ltd,. The first features one of Sir Nigel Gresley's 'V2' class 2-6-2 locomotives No.4771 (60800 in British Railways' days) Green Arrow. The locomotive is currently a static exhibit in the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York, awaiting overhaul.
The second picture shows perhaps Sir Nigel Gresley's most famous locomotive, 'A1/A3' class 4-6-2, No.4472 Flying Scotsman (60103 in BR days). This locomotive is based at the NRM in York and is almost ready for trials following a massive overhaul spanning several years. Many events, involving No.60103, are planned for early next year at Shildon (an NRM extension) and York.
The third picture features an engine that vies with Flying Scotsman as Britain's most famous steam locomotive - Sir Nigel Gresley's 'A4' class 4-6-2, No 4468 Mallard. This locomotive broke the world record for a steam locomotive in 1938 - almost 126mph - a record that still stands today. She was numbered 60022 in BR days and now stands, immortalised, at the NRM in York. The locomotive in the jigsaw picture is traversing the famous viaduct at Knaresborough in Yorkshire, heading a passenger train.
I hope you agree that the artwork involved is striking and ideal for jigsaw puzzles.