We have been notified by Rapido Trains UK that their highly anticipated range of "Ivor the Engine" models have arrived in the UK and are set to head over to Rails imminently - we are currently expecting these to arrive in stock early next week!
The range includes a special edition train pack, including "Ivor" himself with two open wagons, 2D figurines, Cardboard buildings, special packaging and even a brand-new "Ivor" storybook created by the late Daniel Postgate. This is available either DCC ready or fitted with DCC Sound (which is a lot of fun - trust us!)
On top of this you can also expand your collection with a Rolling stock pack, containing some additional wagons and coaches. It's unlikely that these packs will ever be run again so we highly recommend getting your pre-orders in now to avoid disappointment.
Pre-Order Now - Ivor Train Pack
THIS PACK INCLUDES:
Ivor the Engine - with working headlamps and glowing dragon egg in firebox
Two x Open/ Sheep Wagons
Full range of sounds & dialogue from the original colour animations on the DCC Sound versions
2D cardboard figures with bases for Jones the Steam, Dai Station, Idris the Dragon and three sheep - all produced from original animation artwork
Fold-up cardboard engine shed and water tower
A BRAND-NEW Ivor the Engine story written by Daniel Postgate
Pre-Order Now - Rolling Stock Pack
THIS PACK INCLUDES:
Passenger Coach
Coal Hopper Wagon
1-Plank Wagon with Crate Load
2D cardboard figures with bases for Evans the Song, the Choir, Mrs Porty and Bluebell the Donkey produced from the original animation artwork
Fold-up station building & platform
About Ivor the Engine
In 1959 Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, working under their Smallfilms name, brought Ivor the Engine to life in a series of six 10-minute black and white films. The animations were created using cut-out painted cardboard items held together with pins and Blutack. A single frame camera controlled by a small electric motor with some Meccano, a rubber band drive and a manual clicker allowed frames to be made in quick succession - a good thing as five minutes of animation required 8000 frames to be recorded.
On a good day two minutes of animation could be recorded; 12 times faster than most stop frame animation studios of their time. All of this was created in the pair’s workshop (a converted cow shed) at Firmin’s home in Blean near Canterbury, Kent. Postgate wrote the stories, narrated and voiced many of the characters which were brought to life by Firmin’s illustrations.
The original series was regularly shown by Associated-Rediffusion Ltd on ITV who had acquired the original rights, until their demise in 1968. In 1975 the creators re-acquired the rights and started producing the original episodes, alongside new episodes as a series of forty 5-minute episodes this time aired over the following two years on the BBC. Ivor the Engine would see regular screenings for the next decade. Numerous books and VHS cassettes were also produced alongside other merchandise such as board games and playing cards. In 2023 a remastered version was released on Blu-ray DVD.