Battledown Flyover

The famous Battledown Flyover is the main subject in todays jigsaw, 24 May 2021.

A jigsaw of 1000pcs from Rothbury Publishing titled Bowling over Battledown features a junction on two levels; it is part of a large series of puzzles duplicating the artwork of Robin Pinnock. A ‘Lord Nelson’ class 4-6-0 locomotive, No.30851 Sir Francis Drake, is pictured heading ‘The Cunarder’ Boat Train over a girder bridge known as the Battledown Flyover. The train is travelling from Southampton carrying passengers from the 'Queen Elizabeth' liner to Waterloo Station. Passing beneath the girder bridge is a BR ‘Standard’ Class ‘4’ 4-6-0, No.75079, heading a freight train from Salisbury.To the left of the picture a lone railwayman, acting as a superb counterbalance to the trains in Robin's composition, acknowledges the trains as they pass by. Battledown Flyover girder-bridge is 3¼ miles west of Basingstoke, Hampshire. Locomotive No.75079 is preserved on the Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line).
Many of Robin's excellent steam railway paintings have been used by Rothbury for jigsaw puzzles, prints, cards etc. He has produced so many that I think a book of his railway paintings would be very popular, joining the increasing number of superb books by artists such as Philip Hawkins, John Austin, George Heiron, Terence Cuneo, Don Breckon, Barry Freeman, Malcolm Root, Hamilton Ellis, Chris Woods, David Weston etc., etc.

'Bittern' - in a crosswind

A jigsaw produced from a photograph taken by yours truly is featured in today's post, 9 May 2021. I must admit that the enjoyment of completing a jigsaw increases several-fold when the jigsaw picture is your own.

The 500-piece puzzle was made by myphotopuzzle.co.uk using 2.2mm cardboard and supplied in a box complete with a title of my choosing. Both jigsaw and box are shown. The title of my jigsaw is Class A4 'Bittern' - in a crosswind. The photo of the 'A4' was taken on the West Coast Main Line as she approached Red Bank, Newton-le-Willows, on a very windy day in March, 2014. Typically, for a 'Special' excursion, the engine was turned out immaculately in LNER, Garter Blue livery. No.4464 was built at Doncaster Works in 1937 and re-numbered as 60019 by BR, in 1948. 'Bittern' spent her working life operating between London, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line and in December 2013, became the fastest steam locomotive in preservation, reaching 93mph** on a historic run. She is currently in storage at Jeremy Hosking’s Locomotive Storage facility in Margate, waiting for her turn to be overhauled at LNWR Crewe. **Surpassed by Peppercorn 'A1' Tornado in 2017; No.60163 Tornado recorded 100 mph in April of that year.