Great Little Trains of Wales welcomes 13th member railway

We are thrilled to announce the thirteenth member of the Great Little Trains of Wales: The Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited with the one and only Ivor the Engine!

We bring together the very best of narrow gauge railways in Wales, working together to promote railway tourism throughout Wales and the world.

And today, 26 September 2024, we 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 us, 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, 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

As seen in RailAdvent https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/09/13th-railway-joins-great-little-trains-of-wales.html