The Flickr Georgeheiron Image Generatr

‘Railway Magazine’ published a profile of author George Behrend that included this painting by George Heiron. The view depicts one of the many US-built 2-8-2 locomotives that reinforced the depleted SNCF roster immediately after World War II, becoming the 141R class. The loco is seen hauling a train of very mixed rolling stock through the Massif Central. The caption describes it as a MEDLOC troop train. The presence of a pair of British railway carriages behind the engine intrigued me. Some of the passengers in the leading coach literally appear to be demob-happy.

I had no idea what these MEDLOC trains were, and the RM article made no direct reference, so I trawled through the Interweb to learn more.

I discovered that MEDLOC stood for ‘Mediterranean Direct Line of Communication’, comprising a regular service of troop trains that ferried demobilised servicemen and others on leave after campaigns in Italy and the Mediterranean. The principal route ran from Milan to Calais, (MEDLOC B) while other MEDLOC trains set off from Toulon to Dieppe (MEDLOC A). MEDLOC C was a service from Villach, Austria. The GWR, LNER and LMS contributed rolling stock to help ship up to 3,800 service personnel per day.

The service began to wind down from 1947, but the MEDLOC C service from Austria continued until 1955. (I came across a photo of an LMS Period II carriage with German lettering, taken in Vienna in 1953.)

Back to the George Heiron painting: it is for sale as a print, which the advertiser described as a scene from September 1945. However, the first shipments of 141Rs did not reach France until November 1945. Whatever, it’s a vivid illustration of an intriguing part of European railway history.

Throughout the 1990s, the bi-monthly/quarterly publication Locomotives Illustrated showcased the railway art of George Heiron (1929-2001). Issue No. 103 of 1995 carried a particularly dramatic cover, featuring the LMS West Coast Postal Night Mail ascending Beattock Bank just over the border into Scotland, hauled by a Royal Scot 4-6-0 in its 1936 condition. In that very year, the GPO Film Unit produced a stunning documentary film of the Night Mail as it progressed on its northbound journey from London Euston to Glasgow Central. It was filmed in geographic sequence. Allegedly, there was only GBP36 left in the budget by the time the film unit reached Carlisle. That money was spent to commission two unknown talents - poet W.H. Auden and composer Benjamin Britten - to compose the verse commentary and accompanying music for the final run into Glasgow. That sequence is universally acknowledged to be a masterpiece of documentary cinema.

The cover painting by George Heiron shows: 'Britannia' Pacific No. 70028 "Royal Star" leaving Badminton with the 'Red Dragon'.

Published in 1978 by Ian Allan, Trains to the West is a wonderful collection of monochrome photographs and colour plate paintings by George Heiron, all depicting trains to and from the Western part of England and
Wales.
It originally retailed at £4.95

Railway photographer and artist George Heiron (1929-2001) has bequeathed a wonderful legacy of ultra-realistic portrayals of scenes that none of us alive today ever experienced. The Edwardian era of 1900-14 was a colourful period, when Britain's pre-grouping railways reached their zenith. The railway companies faced much harder times after 1914, leading to the wholesale amalgamation of the Grouping of 1923 and nationalisation in 1948. The London, Tilbury & Southend Railway featured here lost its identity as early as 1912, when it was absorbed by the Midland Railway. The LTSR was a commuter line, serving the southern Essex communities out of London Fenchurch Street. One of its smart 4-4-2T tank engines thunders through Barking station, passing a District Railway electric service about to head westwards into Central London.

I bought this lavishly produced title when it was first published late in 1973 and regard it as a personal heirloom. It cost £5.95 at the time - expensive back then. The book showcases George Heiron’s exceptional talent as a railway artist, with his accurate eye and attention to detail. A favourite Heiron subject is featured on the front cover, namely a Great Western King Class 4-6-0 at speed at the head of a West of England express in the late 1930s. When introduced in 1927, the Kings were the most powerful locomotives in Britain.

Based near Bristol, George Heiron (1929-2001) contributed many exceptionally fine photographs to Trains Illustrated, published by Ian Allan. At some time during the 1960s, he swapped camera for canvas. He adopted a hyper-realistic style, accurate to the last detail, with rich colours, bringing scenes from the past vividly back to life.

Ian Allan continued to showcase George Heiron’s work, notably with the bi-monthly Locomotives Illustrated. This issue from 1994 is a fine example, with a former LNWR Prince of Wales-class 4-6-0 making a dramatic departure from Rugby station, showing off its mid-1920s LMS crimson lake livery.

Make: Falcon
Serial: 3112
Title: Flying Scotsman
Series: Vanguard
Pieces: 504 (28 x 18).
Size: 20" x 13 ¾". 51 x 35cm.
Date: -
Bar Code: 5 011145 031120.
Origin: England.

One of several Falcon puzzles that I have that have the "Made in England" artwork covered with a sticker that states "PRINTED IN ENGLAND : MANUFACTURED / PACKED IN AUSTRALIA : FOR MAURIANE TRADING PTY LTD - VIC".

Undated, as seems to be the norm with Falcon puzzles, but the painting is signed "George Heiron 1986" so the puzzle can be no earlier than that.

Separated the pieces into edges, train, rails, and background.

Built the train first, then the rails in the foreground. Added the edge pieces before finishing off with the sky and smoke trail. Overall time no more than three hours, including the sort. This puzzle fell together very quickly.

As stated below, in this instance "Flying Scotsman" refers to the service between London and Edinburgh, not the locomotive that bears this name. The locomotive illustrated is also an A3, but is a classmate 2750 Papyrus.

Text from the bottom of the box:

"The Flying Scotsman" Painted by George Heiron

There were two "Flying Scotsman" - famous 15-coach express trains of the 1930's which left London and Edinburgh at 10.00 a.m. in both directions each day to make the eight-and-a-quarter hour non-stop journey.
The two restaurant cars, which were the centrepiece of each train, were decorated in the style of Louis XIV. They were hand-painted - one in soft blue and stone and the other in pastel red and stone. Each contained individual armchairs and were fitted with concealed lighting behind elegant translucent pelmets. Vestibule wardrobes obviated the need for luggage racks.
The trains also had the most elegant buffet lounge cars ever known on a British train. They featured a Ladies Retiring Room at one end which was walled off from the corridor by a glass panelled screen and were furnished with handsome Chippendale tables and chairs.

By kind permission of Ian Allen Limited


Bought more jigsaws…

DONE: 148 puzzles (108190 nominal piece count). TO DO: 790 puzzles (899486 nominal piece count).

Make: Falcon
Serial: 3112
Title: Flying Scotsman
Series: Vanguard
Pieces: 504 (28 x 18).
Size: 20" x 13 ¾". 51 x 35cm.
Date: -
Bar Code: 5 011145 031120.
Origin: England.

One of several Falcon puzzles that I have that have the "Made in England" artwork covered with a sticker that states "PRINTED IN ENGLAND : MANUFACTURED / PACKED IN AUSTRALIA : FOR MAURIANE TRADING PTY LTD - VIC".

Undated, as seems to be the norm with Falcon puzzles, but the painting is signed "George Heiron 1986" so the puzzle can be no earlier than that.

Separated the pieces into edges, train, rails, and background.

Built the train first, then the rails in the foreground. Added the edge pieces before finishing off with the sky and smoke trail. Overall time no more than three hours, including the sort. This puzzle fell together very quickly.

As stated below, in this instance "Flying Scotsman" refers to the service between London and Edinburgh, not the locomotive that bears this name. The locomotive illustrated is also an A3, but is a classmate 2750 Papyrus.

Text from the bottom of the box:

"The Flying Scotsman" Painted by George Heiron

There were two "Flying Scotsman" - famous 15-coach express trains of the 1930's which left London and Edinburgh at 10.00 a.m. in both directions each day to make the eight-and-a-quarter hour non-stop journey.
The two restaurant cars, which were the centrepiece of each train, were decorated in the style of Louis XIV. They were hand-painted - one in soft blue and stone and the other in pastel red and stone. Each contained individual armchairs and were fitted with concealed lighting behind elegant translucent pelmets. Vestibule wardrobes obviated the need for luggage racks.
The trains also had the most elegant buffet lounge cars ever known on a British train. They featured a Ladies Retiring Room at one end which was walled off from the corridor by a glass panelled screen and were furnished with handsome Chippendale tables and chairs.

By kind permission of Ian Allen Limited


Bought more jigsaws…

DONE: 148 puzzles (108190 nominal piece count). TO DO: 790 puzzles (899486 nominal piece count).

Make: Falcon
Serial: 4960/1
Title: Claughton Class LMS
Series: Steamtrains
Pieces: 300 (20 x 15).
Size: 20 1/16" x 13 ¾". 51 x 35 cm.
Date: -
Bar Code: 5 011145 049606.
Origin: England / Australia.

The "Made in England" text on the box is covered by a sticker that reads "Printed in England / Manufactured/Packed in Australia / for Mauriane Trading Pty Ltd - VIC"

Falcon puzzles are typically undated but this example contains a warranty slip that has the stamped date 4 Jun 1991.

A fairly straightforward build, only the clouds of smoke requiring significant pause for thought. Pieces and fit are typical Falcon, although somewhat larger than normal - this 300 piece puzzle has the same dimensions as the 500 piece Falcon puzzles.

Also in this series: Castle Class GWR, Clan Class LMS, County Class GWR.


From the underside of the box:

Claughton Class LMS
Painted by George Heiron

Painted for the dust jacket of 'West Coast 4-6-0s at Work' this impressive painting shows a pair of 'Claughton' class 4-6-0s heading up the ''Mancunian' express from Euston up Camden bank around 1929. There were 130 'Claughtons' built at Crewe between 1913 and 1921. All had been superseded by more modern power by the mid-1930s. The locomotives shown are Nos. 5908 Alfred Fletcher and 5916, in post-1923 London Midland & Scottish Railway colours.

From a painting by George Heiron, copyright Ian Allan Ltd.

The Artist

George Heiron was born in Bristol in 1929 in the middle of that network known as the 'railway crossroads of the west'. It is perhaps not surprising that an unwavering enthusiasm for what he calls 'this noble form of transport' was instilled into him from an early age.

A prolific photographer of railways, his photographs taken in his native West Country during the last decade of British Railways steam are an evocative image of a bygone era. He was at one time a regimental photographer and sign writer with a Royal Artillery Field Regiment in the Middle East. A member of the Guild of Railway Artists, his paintings are noted for their historical authenticity and accuracy of detail, aspects of his work which made him sought after to illustrate railway books.

His three books, 'The Majesty of British Steam' (paintings) 'Trains to the West' and 'Roaming the Western Rails' (photographs) have been published by Ian Allan Ltd.


Bought more jigsaws…

DONE: 138 puzzles (100690 nominal piece count). TO DO: 748 puzzles (849746 nominal piece count).

Make: Falcon
Serial: 4960/1
Title: Claughton Class LMS
Series: Steamtrains
Pieces: 300 (20 x 15).
Size: 20 1/16" x 13 ¾". 51 x 35 cm.
Date: -
Bar Code: 5 011145 049606.
Origin: England / Australia.

The "Made in England" text on the box is covered by a sticker that reads "Printed in England / Manufactured/Packed in Australia / for Mauriane Trading Pty Ltd - VIC"

Falcon puzzles are typically undated but this example contains a warranty slip that has the stamped date 4 Jun 1991.

A fairly straightforward build, only the clouds of smoke requiring significant pause for thought. Pieces and fit are typical Falcon, although somewhat larger than normal - this 300 piece puzzle has the same dimensions as the 500 piece Falcon puzzles.

Also in this series: Castle Class GWR, Clan Class LMS, County Class GWR.


From the underside of the box:

Claughton Class LMS
Painted by George Heiron

Painted for the dust jacket of 'West Coast 4-6-0s at Work' this impressive painting shows a pair of 'Claughton' class 4-6-0s heading up the ''Mancunian' express from Euston up Camden bank around 1929. There were 130 'Claughtons' built at Crewe between 1913 and 1921. All had been superseded by more modern power by the mid-1930s. The locomotives shown are Nos. 5908 Alfred Fletcher and 5916, in post-1923 London Midland & Scottish Railway colours.

From a painting by George Heiron, copyright Ian Allan Ltd.

The Artist

George Heiron was born in Bristol in 1929 in the middle of that network known as the 'railway crossroads of the west'. It is perhaps not surprising that an unwavering enthusiasm for what he calls 'this noble form of transport' was instilled into him from an early age.

A prolific photographer of railways, his photographs taken in his native West Country during the last decade of British Railways steam are an evocative image of a bygone era. He was at one time a regimental photographer and sign writer with a Royal Artillery Field Regiment in the Middle East. A member of the Guild of Railway Artists, his paintings are noted for their historical authenticity and accuracy of detail, aspects of his work which made him sought after to illustrate railway books.

His three books, 'The Majesty of British Steam' (paintings) 'Trains to the West' and 'Roaming the Western Rails' (photographs) have been published by Ian Allan Ltd.


Bought more jigsaws…

DONE: 138 puzzles (100690 nominal piece count). TO DO: 748 puzzles (849746 nominal piece count).

Inspired by The Railway Magazine's Dec.2016 article on Railway Annuals I dusted off this one, the first proper railway book I owned and probably received as a Christmas present in 1959. The cover is a superb George Heiron painting and inside were interesting features such as a photo-essay on the South Devon banks and articles on the 9F's, how the new marshalling yards worked ("Shunting by Push-Button"), the "Dawn of the Diesel Age on the Eastern Region of BR", the 'Schools' class 4-4-0's, and other stuff that fascinated me, an 11-year-old at the time.
Inside are 2 other wonderful George Heiron paintings, including one of Brit 70029 on the 'Red Dragon' at Badminton, from which is derived a 'buddy icon' I sometimes use.