Checking the Line from H.o.P.

This post of 16th June 2026 is my first since March. Computer problems, health issues and time constraints were complications beyond my full control. The jigsaw described is a 1000-piece example made and marketed by House of Puzzles (H.o.P), a trading name of Bigjigs Toys Ltd. The artist is a man that H.o.P. customers will be familiar with - Robert Barry. On the left of Robert's painting is the famous steam locomotive of the London & North Eastern Railway(LNER), class 'A1/A3', No.4472 Flying Scotsman designed by equally famous engineer, Sir Nigel Gresley. To the right is an unidentfied 'Princess Coronation' class locomotive designed by another famous locomotive engineer, Sir William A. Stanier FRS, for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS). Both locomotive classes were favoured for speed and power, qualities required for mainline passenger traffic.

Both engines are of 'Pacific' (4-6-2) wheel configuration, favoured for fast passenger traffic between England and Scotland. Robert has packed his canvas with many, additional subjects including four that are prominent - a double signal gantry, railway workers in 'dayglo' wear, superb station lamps and four children with a dog. As a nature photographer I must add the blackbird, a swallow and a wood pigeon, to this list.

A 'Hall' over the Royal Albert Bridge

The title is a simple reference to today's jigsaw, 19th March 2026; a 500-piece example from the early days of steam train puzzles. Arrow Games, in particuar, was a famous name for twenty years from c1965. For more information on the Arrow Games series of steam train jgsaws, each of four puzzles, type Arrow Games in the search box to the right.

The locomotive steaming over the bridge, joining Devon and Cornwall, is 'Hall' class 4-6-0 No.4977 Watcombe Hall, one of the '4900' class of Charles Collett. The famous bridge of Isambard Kingdom Brunel is unique in design and was opened by Prince Albert on 11th April 1859. Brunel couldn't attend the opening as he was ill, and he passed away on 5th September 1859. Brunel's creation is known as a 'bowstring suspension' bridge, a railway only bridge that spans the River Tamar between Devon (Plymouth) and Cornwall (Saltash). The 1976 painting for the jigsaw was commissioned by American Company Milton Bradley - they had taken over Arrow Games in 1972. The artist was Stewart Charles Hine (1928-2018).

More from artist Dominic Davison

I'm late with this message, but I want to thank all of my blog followers and wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous 2026. The ex London Brighton and South Coast Railway locomotive featured in today's jigsaw, 8th January 2026 is the same(?) one pictured in Dominic's previous post, of 23rd March 2023. The 0-6-2 engine has carried several numbers but named Birch Grove in 1898, when outshopped from Brighton Railway Works. She was used for mixed traffic on branch lines until purchased by the Bluebell Railway in 1962.

The jigsaw, titled Morning Arrival is an excellent 1000-piece example from Falcon. The London, Brighton & South Coast Railway class 'E4' locomotive No.473 was named Birch Grove when built, and entered service in summer of 1898. See the previously mentioned post for more details.