Laptop does not always recognise server

[John]

Derek Broughton wrote:
> <snip>
> Is that address correct for "Server".
>   

Yes.
> So, from Train1, what do "nslookup Server" 
john at Train1:~$ nslookup Server
Server:        192.168.74.31
Address:    192.168.74.31#53

Name:    Server.DMJ-Consultancy.local
Address: 192.168.74.31
> and "nslookup Server.DMJ-consultancy.local"
john at Train1:~$ nslookup Server.DMJ-Consultancy.local
Server:        192.168.74.31
Address:    192.168.74.31#53

Name:    Server.DMJ-Consultancy.local
Address: 192.168.74.31
>  return?
>   
Additionally,

ping  Server
PING Server.DMJ-Consultancy.local (192.168.74.31) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from Server.local (192.168.74.31): icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=0.311 ms

ping Server.DMJ-Consultancy.local (and ping Server.local)
returns
ping: unknown host Server.DMJ-Consultancy.local

The only thing that's jumping out at me right now is that strictly "-" is
> not allowed in a domain name.
>   
J