Ravensburger and Gibsons Pictorial Jigsaws.

Two jigsaws from prolific manufacturers, Ravensburger and Gibsons, form the basis of todays post, 27 February 2023. Both are highly pictorial but each includes an obligatory steam train. First up is The Steam Mill, a 1000pc jigsaw from Ravensburger; No.3, in the Day in the Country series. The steam train is a passenger service headed by 'Princess' class, 4-6-2 locomotive, No.6201 Princess Elizabeth. The locomotive is liveried in London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) red and the carriages in LMS red and cream (known as blood and custard). The train vies with the Steam Mill as the main focal point but other activities are blended into the picturesque location. One attraction is a Gala where steam engines, other than locomotives, congregate for the occasion, which includes an equivalent show for tractors, opposite. A canal and canal boat add more interest and a jay and a bullfinch are perched in hedges to the fore. A camp site and farm are included in the background. The artwork is by Trevor Mitchell.

The second jigsaw is a 1000-piece example from Gibsons, titled Ye Olde Mill Tavern which is situated immediately adjacent to a canal. Many holidaymakers and/or day trippers are socialising in/at the Tavern and three canal boats are also present, beside or nearby. Yellow flag flowers are in bloom on each bank of the canal. On the opposite side of the canal is a railway station and a cafe. A small passenger train is travelling on a single branch line slowly into the station, an ex Great Western Railway (GWR), 0-6-0 pannier tank at the head. The buildings in the backdrop appear to be part of a village with a church as the focal point. Derek Roberts is the artist.

No.71000 'Duke of Gloucester'

Today's jigsaw, 1st February 2023, features a unique locomotive, in a class of one - the huge class '8F' 4-6-2 locomotive, No.71000 Duke of Gloucester. Designed for British Railways at Derby Works in 1953, by the Robert Riddles team, the engine was constructed at Crewe Works a year later. Unfortunately, expected results were not achieved and many cabin crews regarded the engine as a failure because of heavy coal consumption and poor steaming.

Other important dates in the 'life' of No.71000, were its withdrawal from active British Railways' service in 1962; its transport to the Woodham Bro's Barry Scrapyard in South Wales in 1967 (this was error prone as it was delivered to the wrong scrapyard initially); and when it was bought for preservation from this Barry yard in 1974, (the 53rd locomotive to leave), complete with a class '9F' tender. However, without vital components such as cylinders that had previously been removed, and losing others when in scrapyard residence, the locomotive was taken to the Great Central Railway (GCR) in the same year. For more information about this magnificent locomotive following the GCR move - many internet sites will provide this - go to to the site of the current custodians, The BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust - www.the duke.uk.com "The Duke" is currently under heavy overhaul, nearing completion, at Tysely Locomotive Works but it is hoped to see it steam on a main line later in 2023. The jigsaw of 1000-pieces, is titled The Duke at Carlisle; it is marketed by Map Marketing of Hatherleigh, Devon. I highly recommend this jigsaw (purchased from the site described above) with excellent artwork by Mike Hill. And, of course, your purchase will decrease the financial target required to get this locomotive back onto the main lines. Oh! The box is quite striking too, see below.