About this season
...Not very long ago, in the top left-hand corner of Wales, there was a railway. It wasn't a very long railway or a very important railway, but it was called The Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited, and it was all there was. And in a shed, in a siding at the end of the railway, lives the Locomotive of the Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited, which was a long name for a little engine so his friends just called him Ivor..." ...And that was how it began, back in 1959: one of Oliver Postgate's most loved creations, Ivor the Engine. It was a series about the Welsh adventures of a little green railway engine and his many friends. But Ivor wasn't an ordinary steam engine. He pretty much wished he was a person and ended up doing things like singing in a choir and swimming in the sea! One season of six, 10 minute, Black and White films was made for and screened by Associated-Red.
Episodes (20)
1. Snowdrifts
Aired 22 November 1977 • 5 min
It's winter in the top left-hand corner of Wales and Ivor's railway is not running because of deep snow. Llaniog needs supplies soon, though, as Eli the Baker is nearly out of flour. What Ivor needs is a snowplough.
2. Cold Sheep
Aired 23 November 1977 • 5 min
Thanks to a new snowplough, Jones and Ivor have collected supplies from Grumbly. On the way back they come up against an unusual snowdrift.
3. Sledging
Aired 24 November 1977 • 5 min
Ivor is having a lovely time in the snow. With a winch attached to his front, he is pulling the children on sledges up the hill. He pulls too many at a time and ends up wheel-deep in the snow. Various rescue attempts prove futile.
4. The Rescue
Aired 25 November 1977 • 5 min
Some old fashioned pushers and pullers come to Ivor's rescue.
5. The Fire Engine
Aired 29 November 1977 • 5 min
There's a fire at Mr Pugh's barn but the new fire engine has got stuck in the snow. Ivor comes to the rescue, taking along the firemen and a hand-pump.
6. The Water Tower
Aired 30 November 1977 • 5 min
Something's very fishy when Ivor won't go under the water tower.
7. Mrs Bird
Aired 1 December 1977 • 5 min
Jones and Ivor decide to help a family of birds that have built a nest on the line.
8. The Cuckoo Clock
Aired 2 December 1977 • 5 min
Jones and Ivor desperately need to find the birds a home, but Mrs Porty has an answer to this problem.
9. The Trumpet
Aired 6 December 1977 • 5 min
Ivor receives a mysterious package in the post. It turns out to be a trumpet from some old friends and comes in handy for rounding up Old Idwoll's sheep.
10. The Seaside
Aired 7 December 1977 • 5 min
The Grumbly Choir decide to spend some time having fun at Tewyn Beach after taking part in the Eisteddfod. Of course, Ivor is left alone and feels very sad. Back at Grumbly, standing sad and alone again, he decides to go off on his own.
11. The Lost Engine
Aired 8 December 1977 • 5 min
Jones discovers Ivor has gone and Mrs Porty suspects bandits. It isn't bandits, of course, and they find the engine at Tewyn beach.
12. The Outing
Aired 9 December 1977 • 5 min
The choir are going on their now annual outing to Tewyn beach. They are planning a very special surprise for Ivor.
13. The Sheepdog
Aired 13 December 1977 • 5 min
Jones and Dai are watching the sheep dog trials and a very large contestant turns up to enter.
14. Juggernaut
Aired 14 December 1977 • 5 min
Ivor goes off with Banger's Circus as "The Singing Engine". His replacement is a Juggernaut built by Bynon Smith. It turns out to be a lot less reliable than Ivor.
15. The Bird House
Aired 15 December 1977 • 5 min
Ivor returns along with a small fortune and knows just what he wants to buy.
16. Time Off
Aired 16 December 1977 • 5 min
It's a lovely summers day and Ivor has finished all his work. Jones and Dai decide to go and relax by the river. Ivor feels a little left out standing by the station platform so he goes off on his own.
17. Half-Crowns
Aired 20 December 1977 • 5 min
The Dragons have nearly run out of Half-Crowns for their gas meter at Smoke Hill. Jones and Ivor find some in one of the most unlikely places.
18. Chickens
Aired 21 December 1977 • 5 min
Ivor has gone off on his own again. Dai gets quite cross about it, while Jones finds Ivor at Mr Pugh's farm along with some guests.
19. St. George
Aired 22 December 1977 • 5 min
There are some problems with Smoke Hill again. So, Jones, Ivor and the dragons go to Llanmad to see Mrs Griffiths. While there, Gaian and Blodwen encounter an old enemy.
20. Retirement
Aired 23 December 1977 • 5 min
The Dragons are in danger of being caged. Luckily, Mr Dinwiddy knows just the place for them to live.