45th locomotive saved from Barry Scrapyard.

This post, 6 January 2022, features a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle made by House of Puzzles, of Invergordon. The locomotive is preserved on the Severn Valley Railway but under overhaul at the present time.

The locomotive, a 'Mogul' (2-6-0) designed by William Stanier, was built as LMS (London Midand Scottish) No.13268 at Crewe Works in 1934.She entered traffic as No.2968 but was re-numbered to 42968 by British Railways (BR) from 1948. 42968 was withdrawn from active service in 1966 and arrived at Barry Scrapyard in South Wales, in June 1967. She left Barry in December 1973 under the custodianship of the 'Stanier Mogul Fund', the 45th locomotive to leave the famous Woodham Brothers' scrapyard. The only member of her class to be preserved was delivered to the Severn Valley Railway at Bewdley. She was moved to Bridgnorth engineering section for overhaul, in July 1974. No.42968 first ran under her own steam in 1990, and in April 1991, was placed into full service on the SVR. No.42968 is currently out of service and under overhaul at the SVR. The title of the jigsaw is Back on Track.

The "Hush-Hush" Locomotive

Today, 14 december 2021, we concentrate on an experimental and unique steam, tender locomotive; a class 'W1' 4-6-4 type, No.10000. Due to the initial secrecy surrounding the project, it became known as the "Hush-Hush" locomotive. The jigsaw is a 40-piece, wooden example from Philmar with a long title - B.R. EASTERN REGION CLASS "W.1" (The only one in Britain).

Although classed as a 4-6-4 (wheel configuration) locomotive, technically she was a 4-6-2-2, as th rear 4-wheel bogie was articulated. Fitted with a high pressure water tube boiler of marine origin she graced London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) lines from November 1929. Unfortunately she spent more time in the engineering works for modifications, rather than in service. Reflecting on this, the designer Nigel Gresley decided to re-build her from 1935. As a result, she was moved to Doncaster Works, leading to major changes to her appearance. She returned to traffic in 1937, resembling a class 'A1' locomotive (as in the jigsaw picture) but retaining the 4-6-4 wheel configuration ('A1' locomotives were of 4-6-2 wheel configuration). She was withdrwn from service and scrapped in 1959. No.10000 was renumbered to 60700 in British Raiways' (BR) days and the artist has chosen this guise for the jigsaw artwork. There is no signature on the artwork, but it looks remarkably similar to that of T.E.North. The locomotive, in original guise, as 10000, was reviewed in a previous post of 4 December 2010.

Mail by Train 1 & 2

Today's post, 18 November 2021, showcases a pair of 500-piece jigsaws marketed in a single box, by Falcon.

Mail by Train 1 (top) shows a train in a station with many passengers and station staff mingling on the platform. Numerous types of luggage and mailbags are being loaded and unloaded to and from the train, adding a little frenzied emotion to the scene. Clerestory coaches are clearly visible behind the mail train. Both engine and coaches are presented in GWR (Great Western Railway) liveries. However I cannot identify the engine in the picture - some artistic licence has been used, I think. What I can say with confidence, however, is that the people in the picture are painted superbly well; they are probably the best I have seen in jigsaw paintings. A little puzzling is the train in the background that appears to be steaming in on the same line as the stationary mail train. Mail Train 2 shows the same train picking up mailbags from a raised trackside platform, as is passes at a pre-determined speed. A senior official checks the time. Overhead an express passenger train is traversing a magnificent viaduct, at speed. In the immediate background a porter is handling a trolley loaded with post bags; behind him is a signal box. To the side of the signal box, is a stationary locomotive that could be a 4-6-0 mixed traffic type. In the air, a bi-plane adds extra interest. Once again I must commend the artist - Marcello Corti - on his skill at representing human interest. Another of Corti's jigsaws, featuring a similar, prominent viaduct, can be found in the previous post of 17 March 2020.

Side by Side

In today's post, 1st October 2021, I am featuring an 80-piece wooden jigsaw from Ian Allan showing a steam train and an early e.m.u. (electric multiple unit).

I am unsure of the artist's name but a good guess might be Vic Welch. A British Railways Southern Region, Bulleid 'Pacific' (Merchant Navy class), No. 35017 Belgian Marine, is leaving Waterloo Station heading the 'Bournemouth Belle' Pullman service. To the right hand side of the picture, an e.m.u. suburban train, is passing at speed. The artwork is clean and pictorial, ideal for jigsaw production. At least ten Vic Welch paintings can be found in the Railway Colour Album (1962), published by Ian Allan. Some of them would morph into superb puzzles if they have not been used, for that purpose, to date.

More from Peter Webster

Today's post, 10 September 2021, describes a 1000-piece jigsaw from Classic Deluxe/JHG, titled Summer Saturday. Peter Webster is the artist.

Peter's artwork generally places a steam train or two in a branchline station, within a countryside environment. In Summer Saturday my own mind is a little confused, however. View the train on the right - I can't identify the BR Western Region locomotive ('Castle'?). The lamps on the buffer beam indicate an express train, but if this is right, the people at the Fete must have arrived on the smaller, local train on the opposite platform. But, with no foot-bridge linking both platforms, people must have used a barrow crossing, (a wooden pedestrian crossing) out of sight in the background. The reporting number 117 on the smoke box door - does anyone know this route? If you do, please email me. There are many people in and around this branchline station, all I assume, attending the summer fete. A huge tree dominates the picture on the left and several large marquees can be seen at the Fete. The background of rolling hills and valleys is typical of Peter's work.

Waiting on the Platform

Today's puzzle, 26 August 2021, features a Falcon 1000pc example titled Waiting on the Platform. The artist is Vic McClindon, a regular contributor to artwork associated with the jigsaw portfolios of Dutch manufacturer, Falcon/Jumbo.

Victor's composition is very busy, colourful and pictorial, to say the least - I don't think that he could have included many more 'cameos' in his artwork. I can't see a 'kitchen sink' but everything and everyone possible, is included in this imaginary, station scene. The problem for me is identifying the 'Pacific' (4-6-2) locomotive in LMS (London Midland Scottish Railway) red livery - no number, no name. I'll leave it to you to identify all the characters and railway related items in the picture.

Pictorialism from Kevin Walsh

In this post, 29 July 2021, I am featuring a highly pictorial Falcon jigsaw in the 'Travelling By' series, titled Travelling By - the Canal with artwork by Kevin Walsh.

In the picture, a LNER class 'V2' 2-6-2 locomotive, No.4777, shares the 'spotlight' with an equally impressive canal barge. No.4777 is heading teak coaches, passing by a canal bridge. The class of 184 engines, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, graced London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) metals (rails) from 1936. Also included in Kevin's busy composition are ducks, geese, children, dogs, a hen and a tractor. A boy appears to be waving to the tractor driver and the drivers of the locomotive and canal barge are acknowledging each other also. Another boy is fishing. This is without doubt a jigsaw that emanates pictorialism - an imaginative approach to realism. Some changes appear to have been made to a previous painting as I can find no reference to the canal haulage company name on the barge, unless you place an 'F' before the 'E' on the canal barge nameboard. Note : This jigsaw is also available in '3D' form made by Kiddicraft of Earby, Lancashire. The 500-piece puzzle is titled Rail and Canal and described as a "Lenticular Jigsaw Puzzle - Super 3D".

Two more from 'The Works'

Today's post 11 July 2021, comprises two pictures of puzzles, both branded 'Corner Piece' for 'The Works' stores (their own brand?)

Both jigsaws, of 500 pieces, feature illustrative artwork by Trevor Mitchell and the first, above, in a different, simplified version, has been used in an earlier post. The puzzle above is titled Racing Rivals and the simplified version, titled The Rivals, can be viewed in the post of 26 Jan 2011. An LNER class 'E4' 2-4-0 tender locomotive, No.7490, is shown heading a short passenger train on a slightly elevated line, racing a vintage bus, registered TM 9342, on the adjacent road. Trevor's additions to his simplified example, are as follows - extra space added to the right, a man crossing the road with his dog, a young boy sat on the gate observing the 'race', and blackbird, bullfinch, chaffinch and blue tit adding colour and nature to the composition. The blue tit is on a gate post added to the right hand side.

The second puzzle, All Aboard at St Pancras, shows a busy scene at the famous London station. The huge canopy looks superb; the stylish clock, outstanding. The main locomotive in the picture is a BR 'Standard' class 'V' 4-6-0 type, No.73142, designed by Robert Riddles. No.73142, one of a class of 172, was built at Derby Works in 1956. In Trevor's painting the engine is at the head of an express passenger service. Trainspotters, some chatting to the engine driver, station staff, and many passengers are mingling on the platform. Some are boarding the train. An array of luggage is also scattered throughout the composition. In the background, the coal bunker of an LMS, Stanier class '3P-B' 2-6-2 tank locomotive, No.40110, can be seen. This locomotive was built at Derby Works in 1935, one of a class of 139 (built 1935-1938). The last two batches of this class were built at Crewe Works.

More from Rothbury Publishing

Today's jigsaw, 21 June 2021, titled Christmas at Basingstoke, is a third for this blog from Rothbury Publishing.

Robin Pinnock is once again the artist for this super puzzle. 'Schools' class 4-4-0 No. 30926, Repton, of British Railways Southern Railway (BRSR), is pictured heading typical green coaches, ready to leave Basingstoke Station with a stopping service to Waterloo. To the left is 'West Country' class 4-6-2, No.34105 Swanage, also of BRSR, heading another passenger service. The scene is dated c1962 and Robin has enhanced his picture with a covering of snow. Both of these locomotives are preserved.

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.