Ivor the Engine is on track to return to TV as a live-action version 60 years after much-loved children’s favourite first aired
- Oliver Postgate made the original Ivor the Engine which aired in the 1950s
- His son Daniel Postgate has now revealed he wants to bring it back to screens
- The show was originally made for ITV and was inspired by a fictional railway
A much-loved little green train that first steamed onto screens 60-years ago could be set for a live-action revamp.
Ivor the Engine captured the hearts of the British public when the charming animation hit the screens in the 1950s.
The cheeky cartoon engine, that would sing in his school choir was inspired by a fictional railway in idyllic North Wales and had been inspired by a fictional railway.
Oliver Postgate made the original and now his son Daniel has revealed that the train could be once again pulling into the station 42 years after its last appearance.
Ivor the Engine (pictured above) captured the hearts of the British public when the charming animation hit the screens in the 1950s
Oliver Postgate (pictured above) made the original and now his son Daniel has revealed that the train could be once again pulling into the station 42 years after its last appearance
The show which was originally made for ITV could be once again hitting screens to mark its 60th birthday.
Daniel said he doesn’t want the story to be forgotten.
‘The beautiful storytelling means it’s as enjoyable for children now as it was then.
‘Dad’s first programme was made for ITV and was inspired by the love of Under Milk Wood, Dylan Thomas and the magic of Wales.
Dan Postgate (pictured above) is the son of one of the original creators of the Clangers, Oliver Postgate
‘He also wanted to animate without too many characters that could walk because it was difficult to animate – so he came up with a steam locomotive who wanted to sing in a Welsh choir and that was the starting point which led to everything.
‘He then surrounded Ivor with charmingly eccentric people. It doesn’t matter how technically dazzling an animation is, if the story is not good then it is soon forgotten.’
The return of Ivor the Engine could follow in the footsteps of the Clangers – another cult-classic set for a revamp.
Daniel said: ‘I’ve written some film ideas that could work as a live action and family film.
‘There have been plays and musicals and it’d be good to bring back Ivor in a different way, not as an animation as that has already been done.’
‘And something to showcase the beautiful Welsh countryside and wealth of acting talent Wales has to offer.
‘There’s every chance it will happen – I’m on the case.’