The Talyllyn Railway, one of 12 member railways of the Great Little Trains of Wales (GLTW), is thrilled to announce a thirteenth member to the GLTW group: The Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited with the one and only Ivor the Engine! 

The Great Little Trains of Wales, who bring together the very best of narrow gauge railways in Wales, work together to promote railway tourism throughout Wales and the world. 

The member railways are:  

Bala Lake Railway (Llanuwchllyn) 

Brecon Mountain Railway (Merthyr Tydfil) 

Corris Railway (Corris) 

Fairbourne Railway (Fairbourne) 

Ffestiniog Railway (Porthmadog) 

Llanberis Lake Railway (Llanberis) 

Snowdon Mountain Railway (Llanberis) 

Talyllyn Railway (Tywyn) 

Vale of Rheidol Railway (Aberystwyth) 

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (Porthmadog) 

Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog) 

Welshpool and Llanfair Railway (Llanfair Caereinion) 

And today, 26 September 2024, these great little railways are joining together to welcome Wales’ most-loved locomotive and The Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited with open arms as their official thirteenth member. 

This unity coincides with the release of the paperback edition of Ivor the Engine, a faithful reproduction of the first-ever book originally released in 1962. This exciting development comes as a result of Cardiff-based Candy Jar Books’ successful acquisition of the rights to bring this nostalgic Welsh classic back to life.  

With their commitment to preserving and sharing cherished stories, Candy Jar aims to reintroduce Ivor the Engine to a new audience, ensuring that the magic of Ivor’s adventures continues to resonate with both young readers and those who fondly remember the original tales. And who better to partner with, to encapsulate the magic of our beloved green steam train, than this exceptional network of narrow-gauge railways? Operating in some of the most beautiful areas in Wales, these railways showcase the country’s natural beauty, historic sites, and vibrant communities – elements that echo the charm of Ivor’s own fictional Welsh landscape. 

“We are delighted to be able to welcome the Merioneth and Llantisilly railway as our thirteenth honorary member for the launch of the newly reprinted Ivor book. The story is so well known throughout all railways, it seems a very fitting way to welcome Ivor and launch the reprinted book”, commented James Brett, Chairman of GLTW. 

Written by Oliver Postgate and illustrated by Peter Firmin, Ivor’s charming adventures were a staple for children on TV screens for decades. They charted the exploits of Ivor the steam engine as he shuttled between Welsh mining villages in the idyllic “top-left hand corner of Wales”.  

Daniel Postgate, son of Ivor’s creator Oliver Postgate, shares his enthusiasm: “I’m thrilled that Ivor is joining the Great Little Trains family. My father and his partner, Peter Firmin, set the standard for storytelling, and I believe that families – children, parents, grandparents, and train lovers – will embrace Ivor’s delightful return.” 

To further celebrate the book’s release and Ivor’s partnership with Great Little Trains of Wales, each railway has been gifted a complimentary copy of the new paperback edition. In the spirit of sharing Ivor’s magic, each railway will pass on the book in a unique way, gifting it to someone they believe would greatly benefit from experiencing Ivor’s heart-warming stories.

Books are being distributed by the Books Council of Wales and are available at all good bookshops including many of the gift shops at GLTW member railways, such as our own at Tywyn Wharf Station, ensuring that Ivor’s legacy continues to thrive. 

Join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter for Ivor and the Great Little Trains of Wales by using the hashtag #IvortheEngine 

www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk 

For more information, please contact us at 
[email protected]

Or 

Joanna Quinney, GLTW Marketing Manager
[email protected]