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If you wish to communicate with me about steam train jigsaws and/or related railway art, or to respond to requests for answers to my queries, please email David, at : platt.precology@gmail.com

Tuesday 1 July 2014

A Wentworth Duo

Two modern wooden puzzles from the UK manufacturer Wentworth are featured in today's post, 1st July 2014.T


The Wentworth company was only formed in 1994 in Malmesbury, Wiltshire but has achieved global recognition in its short existence. Each wooden puzzle includes unique, specially shaped ‘whimsy’ pieces some of which, typically, relate to the jigsaw picture. A huge number (over 100) of steam train titles are included under the Wentworth name in my inventory of steam train puzzles, a remarkable number. Famous artists such as Barry Freeman and Malcolm Root are strongly represented. Standard sizes range from 250-1500 pieces but smaller examples are also made.



The first picture features a 250-piece puzzle replicating artwork by Malcom Root. Titled Coasting Down to Kyle the jigsaw depicts a scene in the Highlands beside Loch Carron. A Stanier 'Black Five' is coasting towards the terminus at Kyle of Lochalsh, the main ferry port for crossing to Skye, before the Skye road bridge was opened in 1995. The locomotive in the picture is preserved and Malcolm painted it for one of the co-owners. The locomotive was the 184th departure from the famous Woodham Bros'  Barry Scrapyard* in January 1987, having arrived 21years earlier. It is now under restoration at the Colne Valley Railway in Essex. 



The second picture shows another 250-piece Wentworth puzzle titled Corfe Station. The artwork is by Gerald Savine - both Malcolm Root and Gerald are members of the prestigious Guild of Railway Artists (GRA). The jigsaw picture features a BR ‘Standard’ class ‘4’ locomotive, No.80078, leaving Corfe Castle Station in Dorset with a passenger service. The scene is entirely rural with the famous castle providing a historical backdrop. The scene has always been popular with photographers and artists, up to the present day. The Swanage Railway currently hosts the 2-6-4T locomotive, the 84th engine rescued from Barry Scrapyard* in 1976, following arrival for breaking up in 1966.



* A fantastic book, Barry Scrapyard : The Preservation Miracle by Alan Warren, is available on many Internet book sites and is highly recommended.