Flying Scotsman

Todays post (28th December), the final post of 2020, depicts a jigsaw puzzle from Gibsons titled Flying Scotsman.

The jigsaw, of 1000 pieces, is a montage of a central picture of the Flying Scotsman locomotive and train, surrounded by ten pictures of vertical, LNER posters. The four outer posters advertise "golf courses", "restaurant cars", "The Worlds Most Famous Train 1862-1930"; the fourth is titled "Improve Each Shining Hour". Each one of the four posters is split diagonally into two pictures. Captions "Then" (above a picture) and "Now" (below the second picture) in each poster, relate to the improvement between past and present train services. The other six posters completely surround the central picture and advertise departure time from Kings Cross, intermediate stations between London and Edinburgh, the cocktail bar, season tickets, passenger coach comfort, and general information on development of the train. The central picture of the locomotive and train is, i'm sure, by Mike Jefferies. For more information about this special train, go to the post of 28th June, 2011. As 2021 approaches quickly, may I wish all of my viewers/readers of the blog, a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year: and a million thanks for supporting the blog.

Stanier's Finest

Today's post, 7th December 2020, compares two paintings, duplicated as jigsaw puzzles by The Works and Marks and Spencers, respectively. Although not known as mainstream producers or sellers of jigsaws, both companies have come up trumps with the two artists chosen, Malcolm Root and Nicolas Trudgian. In my opinion, even though I was a GWR or BR Western Region (BRW) fanatic as a boy, the 'Princess Coronation' class of 4-6-2 locomotives designed by Sir William Stanier for the LMS, was my favourite class. I travelled to Shewsbury, Wolverhampton Low Level and Birmingham Snow Hill Stations in search of BR Western Region locomotives and visited the sheds of the first two, on a regular basis. But the short trip to Wigan North Western Station was where I grew to love those fast, huge and powerful locomotives known as 'semis' to us spotters, even though a true 'semi' was really a locomotive with a slightly flatter, smokebox top at the front, required to fit the air smoothed casing, previously in place.

The first jigsaw (top) featuring the Malcolm Root painting is a 1000-piece example from The Works, titled Crowning Glory although on the website of the Guild of Railway Artists it is titled Coronation Scot. The huge Stanier 'Semi', 'Coronation' class 4-6-2 No.46220, is heading the down 'Royal Scot' express in BR days, c1950, through a picturesque location somewhere on the northern, West Coast Main Line. The locomotive named Coronation looks superb in BR express passenger blue livery as she storms along with a long rake of BR carmine and cream coaches behind. The glorious weather adds extra impact to the painting which radiates the power and majesty associated with the locomotive class. No.6220 was the first of the class to be fitted with streamlined casing in blue and white. Below is an equally superb painting by Nicolas Trudgian, marketed by Marks and Spencer in the form of a 1000-piece jigsaw. The puzzle was sold with a CD titled The Glory Days of British Steam. The title of Nicolas's painting is Crimson Evening and featured is the Stanier 4-6-2 locomotive No.6233, Duchess of Sutherland. The train is pictured rounding the curve at Greenholme, on the steep gradient leading up to Shap summit, on the West Coast Main Line. The train is on its way to Glasgow from London Euston. The snow covered Pennines, near Tebay, provide a grand setting for the train - the LMS red liveried engine is matched with a long rake of LMS liveried coaches for a perfectly balanced picture. The sun, 'glinting' from the side of the train, adds more pictorial excellence.

A puzzle from New Zealand

Todays puzzle, 24 November 2020, is an example from New Zealand jigsaw company, Holdson. It is part of a four part series titled Age of Steam II. The series duplicates the artwork of four artists and three, with their puzzles, have already been described in previous posts on the blog. The three are British artists. The fourth is Cliff Norton - if anyone has any biographical details about this artist please let me know and I will include them in this post, retrospectively. Age of Steam I also comprised four jigsaws and all were by UK artists who have featured on the blog.

In Norton’s excellent artwork, a 'Grange' or ‘6800’ class 4-6-0 locomotive of British Railways Western Region, is hauling chocolate and cream carriages through a small, unidentified station. Six people and a policeman stand on the main platform. An ornate footbridge, a water crane, an empty porter’s trolley and a small signal box are included in the composition. The jigsaw is one of a small number that show this class of locomotive, previously designed by Charles Collett for the GWR, between 1936 and 1939. There were eighty in the class of mixed traffic (MT) locomotives. The locomotive in the picture is No.6826, Nannerth Grange. The jigsaw is made in New Zealand by Thos' Holdsworth & Sons.

A Hawkins' jigsaw and a Flying Scotsman CD

Today's post, 12th November 2020, describes a Canny Minds' combined production of a jigsaw puzzle and a CD. Philip Hawkins' painting of the Winter Scotsman is the artwork chosen for the 1000-piece jigsaw, and what a superb choice it is. Both the CD and jigsaw puzzle, issued in 2017, share the title of 'The Flying Scotsman' on the semi, tubular box.

A Peppercorn ‘A1’ class 4-6-2 locomotive No. 60156 Great Central, having left Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle, is steaming towards Kings Cross with 'The Flying Scotsman' express passenger train. The location is York Station, c 1959. A light covering of snow on the track affords a wintery feel to the jigsaw. A second locomotive, a Raven/Thompson class B16/3 4-6-0, No.61463, is pictured stationary, heading another passenger service on the right of Philip’s superb composition.

Steam versus Diesels

Today's post, 22nd October 2020, describes two jigsaws each featuring steam and diesel locomotion.

ABOVE - The Flying Scotsman, a 320-piece 'Popular' jigsaw by Tower Press (5th Series), features a Gresley ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive beside a diesel equivalent, both heading passenger trains in a station setting. The diesel, a class ‘55’ (Deltic type) No.D9020, Nimbus, dominates the scene. The latter was one of a class of 22 built in 1961/62 by English Electric, at the Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows. The title invites you to think that the steam locomotive is heading the famous express. Wrong. The diesel locomotive carries the headboard ‘The Flying Scotsman’. The two locomotives, representing the past and the immediate future of British Railways, invite the viewer to reflect. In the illustrative artwork (artist’s name not known) a maintenance group of four is pictured bottom left, lifting a railway sleeper. BELOW - This 240-piece puzzle from Trojan, via Topsail Productions, is titled Express Freight. Pictured is a ‘Co-Bo’ (a bogie with 3 axles and a bogie with 2 axles) class 28 diesel locomotive heading the ‘Condor’, a fast, over-night freight service. A mainline, LNER steam locomotive is included in the artwork but relegated to the edge of the picture. Introduced in 1958, the class 28’s were selected for the London, Hendon – Glasgow, Gushetfaulds freight express, which began a year later. The diesels double-headed on occasions. The class suffered from continued engine problems however, and as a result, they were temporarily replaced in 1960, with class ‘5’ and ‘Jubilee’ class, steam locomotives; all 4-6-0’s. One class 28 example, D5705, survived until 1968 when it was used by BR in the Research Division and later, as a carriage heating unit. It then moved to Peak Rail in Matlock in 1986. It was secured for preservation in 1997 when recruited by the East Lancashire Railway, and remains in restoration at Bury. To the left of the picture is part of a power station and in the background are office blocks. The 'Condor' headboard was quite unique, with a split backplate of two, equal regional colours, maroon and pale blue. The lettering was vertically split in a ‘stencil’ style. Included in the immediate background, is a class 40 (Type4) diesel locomotive (?) heading a passenger service on an elevated line. Both jigsaws are similar in style and brilliant colour, possibly by the same artist? If anyone can assist me by letting me know the identity of the artist(s) I will add the details to this post, retrospectively (email address above).

The Iconic, Forth Bridge

Today's pair of jigsaw puzzles, 1st October 2020, both feature one of the most famous bridges in the world - the Forth Bridge, spanning the estuary of the River Forth on Scotland's east coast. I am not going into detail about the bridge as this can be found in the previous post of February 7th 2011.

The first picture above, shows a Wentworth wooden jigsaw of variable size (my example is of 250 pieces), simply titled, Forth Bridge. A North British Railway (NBR) steam train is pictured on the bridge from a frontal viewpoint common to photographers and artists. The locomotive at the head of the train appears to be a ‘K’ class 4-4-0 tender locomotive, No.867. The latter designed by William Paton Reid was one of a class of twelve built at Cowlair Works in 1909/1910. Hot coals from the grate illuminate the smoke spiralling above the cab; a sky full of stars enhances the composition. The jigsaw picture is very impressive, but the artist is not named. Wentworth have used a picture, in portrait format, from the Mary Evans Picture Library in the Media Storehouse.

The second picture features a 100-piece Chad Valley wooden jigsaw, duplicating the artwork of Robert Bernard Way. The painting, from a similar viewpoint to the first jigsaw, features a British Railways ‘B1’ class locomotive crossing the bridge heading a passenger service. The jigsaw title is a rather elongated - British Railways: Class B1 61245 “Murray of Elibank” with local train crossing the Forth Bridge. Scottish Region.

STAR Quality

In today's post, 15 September 2020, I am describing another jigsaw from the Gibsons' large portfolio of steam railway examples. The picture, replicating a Barry Freeman painting, features a 'Star' class locomotive, No.4003 Lode Star. Following withdrawal from British Railways in 1951 the engine was, later, retained for the National Collection in York.

The jigsaw comprises 1000 pieces and is titled, simply, Star Quality. No.4003, Lode star was built at the Swindon Works of the Great Western Railway in 1907, one of George Jackson Churchward's iconic designs. The class of 4-6-0 express engines totalled 73 on completion in 1923. In Barry Freeman's artwork*, No.4003 is passing through Patchway Station (6 miles north-west of Bristol), heading a South Wales-Paddington express passenger service. Included in the composition is a porter handling pigeon baskets - possibly a first for our blog. Also included are a suited gentleman observing the passing train, parcels for delivery and railway infrastructure. *Described in the book 'The Railway Paintings of Barry J. Freeman'.

A First for Hartlepool?

In the 29 June 2020 post I featured a Gibsons' jigsaw replicating a David Noble painting. I included a reference to a second puzzle from Gibsons showing another painting by the same artist. Today's post, 4 September 2020 features that second puzzle - Kestrel at Hartlepool. I think it is the first time on the blog for Hartlepool Station.

It is a 500-piece puzzle. A passenger service is heading out of Hartlepool Station headed by a Peppercorn 'A1' class 4-6-2 locomotive, No.60130, Kestrel. The painting is set in the early 1960's and a covering of snow adds to the ambience of the winter scene. A second locomotive, a Gresley 'V1' class 2-6-2T, No.67630, is positioned on an adjacent line, to the right. In the background is a third unidentified locomotive.

The Scottish Expresses

Today's post, 19 August 2020,  features another similar, wooden jigsaw to the example posted on October 19th 2019, both from the A.V. N. Jones company. The title of this 300-piece puzzle is The Scottish Expresses.

The hand-cut jigsaw depicts two major Expresses operating between Scotland and England - the Royal Scot on the left and the Flying Scotsman travelling in the opposite direction, on the adjacent line. Edinburgh Castle lurks mysteriously in the backgound with what appears to be the fascade of an elegant, old building (National Museum?) beneath. Both expresses appear to be passing at great speed. The 'Royal Scot' is headed by the doyen of the class, No.6100 Royal Scot; the 'Flying Scotsman' is headed by the iconic 'A3' class, No.4472 Flying Scotsman. The location is just outside Edinburgh Waverley Station.This excellent puzzle is copied from an equally superb illustrative painting by Bryan de Grineau, originally published in The Illustrated London News in 1939. 

Of interest - the price for a Jones wooden jigsaw of 250 pieces in 1931 was 8s/6d (42.5p). 

The 1939 de Grineau railway poster based on the painting, is shown below.

A British Railways' Standard locomotive

Today's puzzle features a photograph of a British Railways 'Standard' class 4MT (mixed traffic) 4-6-0 locomotive, No.75027. The jigsaw is from the JR Puzzles (Stockport) stable, later marketed by JHG Puzzles of Ashmore, Dorset.

The location for the locomotive, heading Southern Railway passenger coaches, is the Bluebell Railway, the UK's first standard gauge, preserved railway. No.75027 was built in 1953/54 at Swindon Works and was based on BR's Western Region  for several years. She was withdrawn from service in August 1968 and purchased by a member of the Bluebell Railway. The owner then became a generous donor of the engine to the railway.  No.75027, is currently on static display at the railway, awaiting overhaul. The jigsaw, titled Standard Class 4,  is a 1000-piece example and part of the Steam Trains series

Following nationalisation in 1948, British Railways decided to build a fleet of different locomotive classes based on a simple design principle, incorporating features from all 4 previous railway companies. They were all classed as 'Standards'. The designs were overseen by Robert Riddles from 1951, and goals were affordable cost and easy maintenance. 

 

Halstead on the map

Malcolm Root has certainly flown the flag for his native Halstead and his local railway, the Colne Valley Railway. Several of his paintings have been based on his own patch and used also, by jigsaw companies. To be honest, I purchased this jigsaw many years ago, but having completed it I gave it to charity, having thought I had already described it on my blog.  The search bar revealed, not so. So I've replaced the jigsaw again, completed it again, and this time here it is, 15 July 2020, as the 'forgotten' post. Titled Steam Train at Halstead, the puzzle is a 1000-piece example from King. In Malcolm's book, Malcolm Root's Railway Paintings, the painting is titled The Level Crossing, Halstead.

Pictured is a wholesome railway scene with a passenger train passing a signal box and about to cross a level crossing. A high level signal is cut off in the jigsaw. The locomotive is an Ivatt 2-6-0 class 2MT (mixed traffic) type, No.46466, introduced onto the London Midland & Scottish Railway  - known as the LMS or less affectionately as the 'ell of a mess' - in 1946, two years before the birth of British Railways. It was withdrawn from service in 1962. The car to the right is an early 1950's Ford Prefect; the background shows part of the station canopy and Malcolm's home town. The sun reflecting from the side of the locomotive is particularly eye catching; in my trainspotting days this was known as the 'glinting effect' and the locomotive or train as a 'glinter'. 

The Gibsons' G.R.A. connection

The strong connection between the Guild of Railway Artists (GRA) and jigsaw company Gibsons, continues into 2020. G.R.A. artists including Fellows Philip Hawkins, John Austin, Malcolm Root and Terence Cuneo (deceased), and Members Eric Bottomley, Barry Freeman (deceased), Gerald Savine and Stephen Warnes, among others, have jigsaws to their name. David Noble is now added to this formidable list. The latter currently has two 2020 additions to the Gibsons' railway portfolio and I will use both on my blog. 

Today's post, 29 June 2020, features one of the David Noble jigsaws titled Pickering Station, a 1000-piece example.

The railway in the painting is owned by the The North Yorkshire Moors Historical Railway Trust Ltd. which began as the NYMR Preservation Society in 1967. The railway was opened in 1973, following completion of the purchase of the line a year earlier. Pickering Station is the starting point of the NYMR; at 18 miles long running through Levisham and Goathland to Grosmont it is the third longest preserved railway in England. Additional services to the seaside town of Whitby were introduced in 2007.   

The locomotive in David's painting is ex LMS class 5MT (mixed traffic) 4-6-0, No.45407 The Lancashire Fuslier. The locomotive was built in 1937 by Armstrong Whitworth of Newcastle and is owned by the Riley Engineering Company, Riley & Son. In the picture, many enthusiasts are attracted to the train about to leave for Grosmont and a worker adjusts the position of a smokebox door lamp. Following Heritage Lottery Funding, the station was renovated between 2000 and 2011 and a new roof installed. The new roof can be seen clearly, in David's painting.

Ravensburger Heritage Series No.2

This post, 18 June 2020, concentrates on the second of the Ravensburger Heritage Series of paired steam railway jigsaw puzzles. The first was described in the post of 22 April 2020. The Bluebell Railway (BR) and the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) are represented in this second pair.

The pic on the left shows the 500-piece puzzle titled Hampton Loade, a station on the SVR. At the head of the passenger train entering the station is the '2800' class 2-8-0, No.2857. The  locomotive, designed by G.J.Churchwood for the Great Western Railway (GWR), was built at Swindon Locomotive Works in 1918. It was the 69th locomotive to leave the famous Barry Scrapyard in South Wales, in August 1975, destined for the SVR.  In the painting by Trevor Mitchell passengers and onlookers stand on the platforms admiring the oncoming 'reincarnation' of a past era. Children appear fascinated at the possible first sight of a steam engine. A milk churn and various types of luggage and trolleys are integrated into the composition dominated by the station building.

The pic on the right shows the 500-piece jigsaw titled Horsted Keynes, a station on the Bluebell Railway. The latter was the first preserved standard gauge railway in Britain; opened in Sussex in 1960. The two locomotives in Trevor Mitchell's painting are 'P' class 0-6-0T's - No.178 in South East & Chatham Railway (SECR) colours, and No.323 'Bluebell'. The latter loco is on static display currently; No.178 remains in minimal activity, awaiting repairs. Both locomotives were designed for the SECR, c1910, by Harry Wainwright. Human interest is present in this painting with family groups and visitors enjoying close up views of the two engines. Signal gantries, a signal box and a luggage trolley add to the ambience.

Steam train plus other transport

Today's post, 29 May 2020, features a jigsaw puzzle of 1000 pieces from Dutch manufacturer King. The jigsaw title is Delivery at the Railway Inn.

It is a superb, pictorial puzzle with plenty of transport interest, in addition to the obligatory steam train. On the left, a delivery of beer is the main focus of Trevor Mitchell's artwork, being offloaded by two draymen, from a vintage Foden steam lorry. To the right of the picture is, I think,  a magnificent Jowett 7 Long Tourer* (c1929) vintage car; in between is a small red vintage car but unidentifiable* to yours truly. The Railway Inn is a magnificent thatched building and the steam train is definitely relegated to minimum focus. The locomotive is an 0-6-0T type, No.7829, heading crimson coaches on a country line. I cannot identify the class of locomotive* from the number. An adult couple are leaving the Inn, admiring the transport display as they leave.

I must add that this pictorial jigsaw will impress enthusiasts of many persuations.

*If you can help me with these id's please email me (address at the top of the blog).

Dovey Junction

Today's post concentrates on a 2004 jigsaw marketed as a Waddingtons' puzzle by American owners, Hasbro Inc. The artwork is by Malcolm Root.

I think Malcolm has been very brave with this painting. Dull, wet weather was never the first choice for artists,  but he has done a first class job in promoting the overall ambience to the viewer. Depicted in British Railways (BR) days, the locomotive at the head of the Cambrian Coast Express is 'Manor' class 4-6-0 No.7820 Dinmore Manor. Because of weight restrictions originating from 1927, small 4-4-0 'Dukedogs' were the selected  locomotives for this famous named train. From 1938, 'Manor' class locomotives were mainly used and other 'light' locos hauled the express in later, BR days. The route was Paddington, Shrewsbury, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli; the train split at Dovey Junction, a section heading south for Aberystwyth and another, north for Pwllheli.

A 'Dukedog' was a hybrid involving the chassis of a 'Bulldog' class locomotive and the boiler of a 'Duke' class locomotive.

Ravensburger Railway Heritage Series

No.1 in Ravensburger Heritage Series are two 500-piece jigsaws, packed in the same box, and titled Oakworth and Corfe.  This post, 23 April 2020 features both of these puzzles and No.2 in the series, showing another pair of puzzles, will follow in a later post. The illustrative artwork is by Trevor Mitchell.

Oakworth, left, is one of the stations on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (K&WVR). The locomotive  approaching the platform with a passenger service is ex War Department (W.D.) class '8F' 2-8-0, No.90733. The locomotive has a fascinating history from 1945, when it was built at Vulcan Foundary in Newton-le-Willows. She was sent to the continent to carry out troop and supplies movements then, following the end of the war, ended up in The Netherlands. She was transferred to the Swedish State Railway in 1953, and later held in store until purchased by the K&WVR in 1972. She arrived in 1973 but was withdrawn from service three years later. Repairs began in 1993 leading to a return to active duties in 2007 when she was re-numberd 90733, thus continuing the B.R. numbering system for the class, 9000 - 90732. She was taken out of service in 2017 and is now under overhaul at Haworth. Oakworth Station looks splendid in Trevor's painting with many passengers of all ages waiting for the train to stop.  A luggage trolley, metal adverts and floral displays add to the nostalgic ambience. 

Corfe station, right, on the Swanage Railway, is ideally placed for visits to the famous castle, seen in the background in Trevor's picture. The steam locomotive 0-6-2T, No.6695, was built in 1928, withdrawn from service in 1964, and moved to Barry Scrapyard in the same year. She was transferred to the Swanage Railway in 1979 but was sold to the '6695 Locomotive Group' in 1995. In 2015 she was under overhaul at the West Somerset Railway but was then transferred to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in 2019 to continue her overhaul. She is depicted waiting in Corfe Station at the head of a rake of Southern Railway (SR) green coaches. The platforms are busy with passengers and visitors. Adjacent to the steam train is a BR class 108 diesel multiple unit (DMU).

Unfortunately these jigsaws are printed in a very light and non-contrasty style and photographing them is difficult.

A Tale of Two Locomotives

Today's jigsaw, 10 April 2020,  is another 'gem' from the House of Puzzles' portfolio of superb steam train examples. It is a 1000 piece puzzle from the Castleford Collection, titled Bringing Them Home. The jigsaw features the ex Great Western Railway (GWR) 'Hall' class 4-6-0 locomotive  No.4965, Rood Ashton Hall, at Arley Station on the Severn Valley Railway (SVR). 

In a modern 're-enactment' scene, World War II Army personnel, men and women, are greeted by friends and relatives, including children, on arriving 'home'. The SVR is one of several Heritage Railways including such retrospective WWII events in their annual programmes. At these special events volunteers wear period dress and uniforms, and other items of period paraphernalia are added to the platforms; items such as milk churns and luggage for instance. A guard standing by the engine and the station master sat outside his office are each pictured with a mug of tea. The station cat is also included in a scene well captured by artist Ray Cresswell. 

The history of this locomotive is very interesting with mischievous exchanges and transfers going on between two locomotives at Swindon Works c1961/62. Basically the locomotive is a hybrid of No.4983 Albert Hall - the 10th locomotive to leave Barry Scrapyard in 1970 - and No.4965 Rood Ashton Hall.  Read the story on www.preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/4965-rood-ashton-hall

The Viaduct

Viaducts are fascinating structures and we are blessed with many examples in the UK, some around 200 years old. Among the more famous are the Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle-Carlisle Line and the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the UK's first, mass concrete viaduct, on Scotland's West Highland Line. The 82-arch Harringworth Viaduct in England's smallest county, Rutland, is the UK's longest masonry viaduct at 1,166 metres. This post, 17 March 2020 features a jigsaw puzzle of a viaduct painted by Italian artist, Marcello Corti. The puzzle comprises 1000 pieces and is manufactured by Falcon.

Tangmere 'Hurricanes'

This post, 11 February 2020, features a 500-piece jigsaw from Gibsons titled Tangmere Hurricanes. The jigsaw is marketed in a small  gift box - the artwork is by Nicholas Trudgeon.

Before WWII, 601 Auxilliary Squadron, known initially as the 'Millionaires Squadron' (composed almost entirely of super rich gentlemen) was based at RAF Northolt. However, when the war started in 1940, the Squadron was mobilised from RAF Tangmere, near Chichester in West Sussex. Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires were operated by 601 Squadron.  Pilots engaged the Luftwaffe  from their base by the sea, protecting shipping in the English Channel; hefty casualties were incurred. The famous WWII pilot Wing Commander Douglas Bader was stationed at Tangmere in 1941.

The jigsaw description on the gift box is summarised as follows  - Four Mk1 Hurricanes of 601 Squadron, refuelled and rearmed, climb to re-join the battle during the summer of 1940. Below, life goes on as a Southern Railway train pulls out of a local village station........these renowned aircraft served the RAF in all major theatres of the Second World War.