Ivor the Engine steams in at Snowdon Mountain Railway

Exclusive screenings of children’s cartoon Ivor the Engine have begun at Snowdon Mountain Railway.

North Wales’ biggest tourist attraction has been given permission to show the colour episodes, filmed in the 1970s, by the family of the creator Oliver Postgate.

The Snowdon Lily steam engine, built on the chassis from the original carriages of 1896, will also be getting a special makeover for its 2014 season launch as a tribute to Ivor.

One of Postgate’s sons Stephen, gave the family’s blessing at this week’s launch and said:

“My dad would have been very happy to have Ivor joining in with the fun at Snowdon Mountain Railway. He always felt honoured that the Welsh people had embraced his and illustrator Peter Firmin’s little engine. He always loved North Wales and spent many happy weeks throughout his life walking in the hills and valleys dreaming up his stories.

“Llanberis is not quite in the top left hand corner of Wales, which is where Ivor was fictionally based, but is nearby and an apt location for his spirit to live on.

“The original episodes were first broadcast in 1959 and the cinema is showing the newer episodes produced in colour in 1975.

“Forty years on and I’m sure people will agree that the small green locomotive from the Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited and his friends still hold their original charm.”

Vince Hughes, Commercial Manager at Snowdon Mountain Railway said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to have permission to show the Ivor cartoons to the thousands of visitors who come here every year.

“His appeal is across every age group and the cinema is showing all the colour episodes ever made in 45 minute sections throughout the day.

“It’s an added attraction or visitors to enjoy before or after taking a trip to the summit of Snowdon.”

For more information about Snowdon Mountain Railway, visit www.snowdonrailway.co.uk or follow on Twitter @SnowdonMR