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Ivor the Engine

 Ivor the Engine
type
TVTItem
 Ivor the Engine
label
Ivor the Engine
 Ivor the Engine
page
IvorTheEngine
 Ivor the Engine
comment
Ivor the Engine, created by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, tells the story of a little green steam engine who runs on the Merioneth & Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited, located in the top left-hand corner of Wales. Ivor is rather unusual for a steam engine in that he is alive (though most engine drivers would believe that already), and his life is far from an ordinary one.His debut in 1958 was a short series of black and white episodes for Associated Rediffusion, which told the story as to how Ivor wanted to sing in the choir, and how his whistle was replaced with steam organ pipes from the fairground organ on Mr Morgan's roundabout. There then followed two thirteen-episode series, also in black and white. These episodes were 10 minutes each.In the 1970s, the two longer black and white series were re-made in color by Smallfilms, with some alterations to the stories, but they did not remake, or re-tell, the content of the original six. The color series consisted of 40 five-minute films. These would often each form part of a longer story, including, most notably, a family of Welsh Dragons and an escaped elephant from the circus.The series was written, animated and narrated by Oliver Postgate with Peter Firmin providing the artwork. The sound effects were endearingly low-tech, with the sound of Ivor's puffing made vocally by Postgate himself. The music was composed by Vernon Elliott and predominantly featured a solo bassoon, to reflect the three notes of Ivor's whistle.A classic of British television, Ivor the Engine, along with other Postgate creations like Bagpuss, The Clangers, Pogles' Wood & The Saga of Noggin the Nog, continues to stand out for its unique charm, narrative quality, excellent characterization, wit, and lack of condescension.
 Ivor the Engine
fetched
2023-04-01T18:29:44Z
 Ivor the Engine
parsed
2023-04-01T18:29:44Z
 Ivor the Engine
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Ivor the Engine / int_119ea1fd
type
Stop Motion
 Ivor the Engine / int_119ea1fd
comment
Stop Motion: The series was filmed using animated cardboard cut-outs painted with watercolors, a staple of Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin's Smallfilms Company. Though low budget, the quality of the artwork was never skimped on, and the backgrounds were very atmospheric.
 Ivor the Engine / int_119ea1fd
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_119ea1fd
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_119ea1fd
 Ivor the Engine / int_17ce80aa
type
All There in the Manual
 Ivor the Engine / int_17ce80aa
comment
All There in the Manual: The Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited had an official map designed by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin to solidify in what order locations should appear as Ivor traveled along the line.
 Ivor the Engine / int_17ce80aa
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_17ce80aa
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_17ce80aa
 Ivor the Engine / int_1989b0c
type
Comic-Book Time
 Ivor the Engine / int_1989b0c
comment
Comic-Book Time: The commericals created to promote BBC 2W implies the series moved on with the times, but everyone is still exactly as they were.
 Ivor the Engine / int_1989b0c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_1989b0c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_1989b0c
 Ivor the Engine / int_1cc9f5e5
type
Playing with Fire
 Ivor the Engine / int_1cc9f5e5
comment
Playing with Fire: Idris, naturally because he's a dragon. He can control his flames easily, and even concentrate it to relight pilot lights on gas-operated stoves.
 Ivor the Engine / int_1cc9f5e5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_1cc9f5e5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_1cc9f5e5
 Ivor the Engine / int_1fb947b6
type
Just Train Wrong
 Ivor the Engine / int_1fb947b6
comment
Just Train Wrong: Generally, Ivor does operate in a true-to-life manner, requiring a driver to maintain his fire, refill his coal and water, follow scheduled work, pull trains and so on. Of course, real locomotives don't drive themselves or sing in choirs, but Ivor is held accountable for violating railway regulations, so he can't just run about wherever he pleases.
 Ivor the Engine / int_1fb947b6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_1fb947b6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_1fb947b6
 Ivor the Engine / int_21af4dc3
type
Heroic Dog
 Ivor the Engine / int_21af4dc3
comment
Heroic Dog: Nell the Sheepdog, who runs to get help with Ivor when Jones gets trapped in a quarry after trying to rescue one of her sheep, and later the Fire Brigade when Ivor is derailed in the snow.
 Ivor the Engine / int_21af4dc3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_21af4dc3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_21af4dc3
 Ivor the Engine / int_22eed18a
type
Parents Know Their Children
 Ivor the Engine / int_22eed18a
comment
Parents Know Their Children: Jones the Steam and Ivor have a very close bond after so many years working together, but Jones usually acts as a sort of parental figure for Ivor, who is good hearted if sometimes a little disobedient, like a child. Jones can usually guess at Ivor's moods quite easily.
 Ivor the Engine / int_22eed18a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_22eed18a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_22eed18a
 Ivor the Engine / int_28a7a9cd
type
Sentient Vehicle
 Ivor the Engine / int_28a7a9cd
comment
Sentient Vehicle: Ivor is alive, and can drive himself, but, unlike Thomas the Tank Engine, does not have a face and relies on Jones the Steam to translate for him. How he gained sentience is never discussed, but according to Wordof God, Oliver Postgate was inspired by a Welsh railway fireman named Denzyl Ellis, who described to him how preparing a steam engine is like watching it come to life.
 Ivor the Engine / int_28a7a9cd
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_28a7a9cd
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_28a7a9cd
 Ivor the Engine / int_36dcbe1c
type
Switch to English
 Ivor the Engine / int_36dcbe1c
comment
Switch to English: Not that we actually hear any Welsh spoken, but after the President of the Antiquarian Society makes "a fine speech, in Welsh of course" the crowd sings "Land of My Fathers" in English. This may actually be Translation Convention for the benefit of the viewers: most Welsh people would know their anthem in Welsh, but rather fewer would be fluent enough to understand the President's speech!
 Ivor the Engine / int_36dcbe1c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_36dcbe1c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
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Ivor the Engine / int_36dcbe1c
 Ivor the Engine / int_382bdb6b
type
Volcano Lair
 Ivor the Engine / int_382bdb6b
comment
Volcano Lair: Idris the Dragon and his family live in Smoke Hill, a former volcano that eventually becomes extinct. A major subplot in the series is about figuring out an alternative home to keep the dragons warm, as they cannot survive long in cold climates.
 Ivor the Engine / int_382bdb6b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_382bdb6b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_382bdb6b
 Ivor the Engine / int_40cc0c7e
type
Bittersweet Ending
 Ivor the Engine / int_40cc0c7e
comment
Bittersweet Ending: Idris the dragon's new home in a geothermally heated cavern will keep him and his family warm, but he can never again show himself above ground publicly. Given that dragons value their privacy, Idris doesn't seem to mind, but Jones the Steam is still sad to see them go.
 Ivor the Engine / int_40cc0c7e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_40cc0c7e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_40cc0c7e
 Ivor the Engine / int_44bed11d
type
Stubborn Mule
 Ivor the Engine / int_44bed11d
comment
Stubborn Mule: Averted. Bluebell, Mrs. Porty's pet and Ivor's friend, is a generally docile and helpful donkey, but tends to follow Exact Words if given careless instruction (demonstrated when she carries a wash bucket for miles to chase after Ivor, because Jones had told her to stand by Ivor and hold the bucket while he was cleaning him).
 Ivor the Engine / int_44bed11d
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_44bed11d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
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Ivor the Engine / int_44bed11d
 Ivor the Engine / int_4e7c4536
type
Wham Line
 Ivor the Engine / int_4e7c4536
comment
Wham Line: "Do you know 'Land of my Fathers'?" – There, looking out of Ivor's funnel was a dragon. Not one of your lumping great fairy-tale dragons, but a small, trim, heraldic Welsh dragon, glowing red hot and smiling.
 Ivor the Engine / int_4e7c4536
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_4e7c4536
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_4e7c4536
 Ivor the Engine / int_5141fc93
type
Forgot to Pay the Bill
 Ivor the Engine / int_5141fc93
comment
Forgot to Pay the Bill: Smoke Hill gains a coin-operated gas meter to heat Idris the Dragon and his family, but, unfortunately, this is only a temporary solution, as half-crowns are becoming scarce due to the decimalization of British currency.
 Ivor the Engine / int_5141fc93
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_5141fc93
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_5141fc93
 Ivor the Engine / int_664bc28f
type
British Brevity
 Ivor the Engine / int_664bc28f
comment
British Brevity: The original black and white stories (1958) were a series of 6 episodes, told like chapters in a continuing narrative. These told the story of Ivor becoming a member of The Grumbly and District Choral Society thanks to a new whistle made from a steam organ's pipes. The color series, released 1975-77, lasted for 40 episodes, each of them about 5 minutes per episode. Subsequent DVD releases tend to edit linking episodes together.
 Ivor the Engine / int_664bc28f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_664bc28f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_664bc28f
 Ivor the Engine / int_6a6b23ff
type
Unfazed Everyman
 Ivor the Engine / int_6a6b23ff
comment
Unfazed Everyman: Jones the Steam, who accepts wholesale the idea that his steam engine is alive and dragons exist. In fact, most of the characters accept Ivor's sentience without question (save Mrs. Griffiths of the Antiquarian Society), but, given the general unusual events that tend to occur, Jones rarely loses his tranquility.
 Ivor the Engine / int_6a6b23ff
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_6a6b23ff
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_6a6b23ff
 Ivor the Engine / int_6cac9d40
type
National Anthem
 Ivor the Engine / int_6cac9d40
comment
National Anthem: "Do you know 'Land of My Fathers'?" asks Idris when he first hatches from Ivor's firebox. The Grumbly and District Choral Society, delighted to see a real Welsh dragon, oblige by singing their national anthem, accompanied by Ivor and Idris.
 Ivor the Engine / int_6cac9d40
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_6cac9d40
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
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Ivor the Engine / int_6cac9d40
 Ivor the Engine / int_6d57a234
type
Lemony Narrator
 Ivor the Engine / int_6d57a234
comment
Lemony Narrator: Oliver Postgate, the Series Creator, serves as this, generally breaking the fourth wall to explain Welsh culture or to comment on the action. Sometimes, he will even react in surprise to events as they unfold.
 Ivor the Engine / int_6d57a234
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_6d57a234
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1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_6d57a234
 Ivor the Engine / int_7360806f
type
In-Series Nickname
 Ivor the Engine / int_7360806f
comment
In-Series Nickname: As the narrator points out in the page quote, Ivor is officially called "The Locomotive of the Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Limited." As this is such a long title for a little tank engine, his friends simply call him Ivor.
 Ivor the Engine / int_7360806f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_7360806f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_7360806f
 Ivor the Engine / int_7ee93bc9
type
Some Call Me "Tim"
 Ivor the Engine / int_7ee93bc9
comment
Some Call Me "Tim": Ivor is only called such because his official name is "The Locomotive of the Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Limited." Quite a mouthful to say in one go!
 Ivor the Engine / int_7ee93bc9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_7ee93bc9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_7ee93bc9
 Ivor the Engine / int_8658cd14
type
Agent Scully
 Ivor the Engine / int_8658cd14
comment
Agent Scully: Mrs. Griffith, chair-person of the Antiquarian Society, at first thinks Jones is a crackpot making up stories about dragons and sentient steam engines (which was an Indy ploy by Ivor to protect Idris from being found.) She is brought round when Jones and the dragons come to ask for the Society's help in heating the dragons, but ultimately turns against them after the dragons attack a statue of St. George, fearing that they are a risk to life and property.
 Ivor the Engine / int_8658cd14
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_8658cd14
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_8658cd14
 Ivor the Engine / int_8e439940
type
Mystical India
 Ivor the Engine / int_8e439940
comment
Mystical India: Bani Moukerjee, the elephant keeper, wears a turban and speaks with a stereotypical Indian accent. This ended up getting the book series banned thanks to political correctness authorities getting worried about offending ethnic minorities.
 Ivor the Engine / int_8e439940
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_8e439940
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_8e439940
 Ivor the Engine / int_91d3ab1e
type
Ominous Pipe Organ
 Ivor the Engine / int_91d3ab1e
comment
Ominous Pipe Organ: Averted: Ivor's whistle is made out of three pipes from a steam organ for a merry-go-round (called a roundabout in the series), and uses them to communicate and sing in the Grumbly and District Choral Society. He may have three notes, but he sings them beautifully.
 Ivor the Engine / int_91d3ab1e
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_91d3ab1e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_91d3ab1e
 Ivor the Engine / int_92a61707
type
The Speechless
 Ivor the Engine / int_92a61707
comment
The Speechless: Ivor can't talk like a human, but manages to communicate with Jones via his whistle and steam exhaust. Given Jones' reactions, Ivor can be quite a Deadpan Snarker at times!
 Ivor the Engine / int_92a61707
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_92a61707
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_92a61707
 Ivor the Engine / int_97c4763
type
The Professor
 Ivor the Engine / int_97c4763
comment
The Professor: Prof. D. Longfellow of Observatory Villa, Llaniog, has his own personal telescope and is sometimes consulted for answers to problems. He wears Opaque Nerd Glasses.
 Ivor the Engine / int_97c4763
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_97c4763
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_97c4763
 Ivor the Engine / int_9f6fb586
type
Leitmotif
 Ivor the Engine / int_9f6fb586
comment
Leitmotif: Ivor's leitmotif has a solo bassoon playing a jaunty ditty, which also serves as his whistle tone. Ivor's distinctive chuffing (Pssst-tchoff) is simply Oliver Postgate making the noise himself! The series has a soundtrack full of such leitmotifs, including one for Bluebell the Donkey.
 Ivor the Engine / int_9f6fb586
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_9f6fb586
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_9f6fb586
 Ivor the Engine / int_9f970427
type
Secret-Keeper
 Ivor the Engine / int_9f970427
comment
Secret-Keeper: Ivor, Jones the Steam, Dai Station, and Mr. Dinwiddy all vow to keep Idris' new underground heated cavern a secret at the end of the series.
 Ivor the Engine / int_9f970427
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_9f970427
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_9f970427
 Ivor the Engine / int_a2ff4e6f
type
Single Tear
 Ivor the Engine / int_a2ff4e6f
comment
Single Tear: Ivor is capable of crying, but it manifests as large drops of water dripping from his cab windows.
 Ivor the Engine / int_a2ff4e6f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_a2ff4e6f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_a2ff4e6f
 Ivor the Engine / int_a632f7fa
type
Cool Train
 Ivor the Engine / int_a632f7fa
comment
Cool Train: Ivor himself. What other engine can drive itself, sing in a choir using its whistle, and have the honor of hatching a dragon egg in his firebox?
 Ivor the Engine / int_a632f7fa
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_a632f7fa
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_a632f7fa
 Ivor the Engine / int_a6ff7243
type
Hates Being Touched
 Ivor the Engine / int_a6ff7243
comment
Hates Being Touched: Idris and the other dragons don't like being touch, though this is because they are very hot, and if they touch anyone or anything, they would burn the person or object they come in contact. The only exceptions are ovens, caves and fireboxes.
 Ivor the Engine / int_a6ff7243
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_a6ff7243
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_a6ff7243
 Ivor the Engine / int_a7850fbf
type
Only Known by Their Nickname
 Ivor the Engine / int_a7850fbf
comment
Only Known by Their Nickname: Technically every human character, given the Welsh nicknaming tradition of "Surname the Occupation." Jones the Steam's real name is actually Edwin Jones, but this is not always used.
 Ivor the Engine / int_a7850fbf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_a7850fbf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_a7850fbf
 Ivor the Engine / int_b49e24b0
type
Honorable Elephant
 Ivor the Engine / int_b49e24b0
comment
Honorable Elephant: Double Subverted. Alice, being a baby elephant in unfamiliar surroundings, is fussy and temperamental due to an injury on her foot that she won't let anyone treat. As soon as Bani Moukerjee, her keeper, tracks her down, he has her apologize for her behavior, and takes over her treatment with no further fuss. She and her fellow elephants are later able to come to the rescue when Ivor is derailed in the snow thanks to being used as a sledge pull.
 Ivor the Engine / int_b49e24b0
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Ivor the Engine / int_b49e24b0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_b49e24b0
 Ivor the Engine / int_bc74ef27
type
Berserk Button
 Ivor the Engine / int_bc74ef27
comment
Berserk Button: Gaian and Blodwen attack a statue of St. George standing in Llanmad village square because they think he is attacking a real dragon. Generally, dragons hate violence, especially against their own kind. Jones gets irritated whenever Ivor slams on his brakes without warning, usually giving him a bumped nose, and lectures Ivor when he's being disobedient.
 Ivor the Engine / int_bc74ef27
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_bc74ef27
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_bc74ef27
 Ivor the Engine / int_c09dbbbb
type
Weaksauce Weakness
 Ivor the Engine / int_c09dbbbb
comment
Weaksauce Weakness: Idris and the other dragons are vulnerable to water, which can be fatal if splashed on them in large amounts. Justified in that, as a creature dependent on hot temperatures to survive, the sudden shock of cold would kill them.
 Ivor the Engine / int_c09dbbbb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_c09dbbbb
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_c09dbbbb
 Ivor the Engine / int_c313d43a
type
True Companions
 Ivor the Engine / int_c313d43a
comment
True Companions: Ivor and Jones the Steam – their bond is very much like a parent fussing over a child at times, but Jones trusts Ivor implicitly, and is always looking out for his beloved engine's happiness.
 Ivor the Engine / int_c313d43a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_c313d43a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_c313d43a
 Ivor the Engine / int_c3ae004a
type
Re-Cut
 Ivor the Engine / int_c3ae004a
comment
Re-Cut: Small episodes released on home video are edited together as one large episode, as they're connected to each other..
 Ivor the Engine / int_c3ae004a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_c3ae004a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_c3ae004a
 Ivor the Engine / int_caa28b82
type
Cloudcuckoolander
 Ivor the Engine / int_caa28b82
comment
Cloudcuckoolander: Mrs. Porty and Mr. Dinwiddy are by far the kookiest (though Jones the Steam may seem odd to outsiders for talking to his engine).
 Ivor the Engine / int_caa28b82
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_caa28b82
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_caa28b82
 Ivor the Engine / int_cb70651c
type
Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane
 Ivor the Engine / int_cb70651c
comment
Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane: The narrator states at the climax of "Retirement" that the dragons could be heard inside Ivor singing at the choir, but you can't be sure, can you?
 Ivor the Engine / int_cb70651c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_cb70651c
featureConfidence
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 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_cb70651c
 Ivor the Engine / int_ce30e201
type
No Mouth
 Ivor the Engine / int_ce30e201
comment
No Mouth: Characters that have big mustaches like Dai Station, Eli the Baker and Byron Smith lack a mouth.
 Ivor the Engine / int_ce30e201
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_ce30e201
featureConfidence
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 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_ce30e201
 Ivor the Engine / int_ce764dfa
type
Apothecary Alligator
 Ivor the Engine / int_ce764dfa
comment
Apothecary Alligator: Mrs. Griffith's shop in Llanmad has one hanging from the ceiling.
 Ivor the Engine / int_ce764dfa
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_ce764dfa
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_ce764dfa
 Ivor the Engine / int_d2b59903
type
Cool Old Lady
 Ivor the Engine / int_d2b59903
comment
Cool Old Lady: Mrs. Porty, a wealthy eccentric who lives in a mansion besides the railway may seem like she has more money than sense at times, but, at heart, she is a refined, kind-hearted woman who ultimately buys the railway wholesale to save it from being merged with the Welsh National Railway, which would have meant unwelcome changes all around.
 Ivor the Engine / int_d2b59903
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_d2b59903
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_d2b59903
 Ivor the Engine / int_d553b534
type
Five-Episode Pilot
 Ivor the Engine / int_d553b534
comment
Five-Episode Pilot: More like six. The original six episodes were made to show how Ivor got his three-tone whistle and joining the choir.
 Ivor the Engine / int_d553b534
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_d553b534
featureConfidence
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 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_d553b534
 Ivor the Engine / int_d88e125e
type
Our Dragons Are Different
 Ivor the Engine / int_d88e125e
comment
Our Dragons Are Different: Idris the Dragon, his wife Olwen, and twins Gaian and Blodwen, are all red heraldic Welsh Dragons (like on Wales' flag). They are about the size of dogs, can fly, breathe fire, sing, and are hatched from eggs in extremely hot temperatures. In Idris' case, he was hatched in Ivor's firebox. Idris and other dragons of his kind cannot survive long outside of hot climates (which is why they prefer to live in volcanoes), and a subplot of the series has to do with keeping the dragons warm after Smoke Hill, their volcano, goes out. Compare it to another Postgate series Noggin the Nog, which features an ice dragon driven out of his cold cave by a bonfire.
 Ivor the Engine / int_d88e125e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_d88e125e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_d88e125e
 Ivor the Engine / int_d91d0365
type
The Magic Goes Away
 Ivor the Engine / int_d91d0365
comment
The Magic Goes Away: Ultimately, the dragons, after being revealed to exist, return underground to escape being kept in heated cages at the National Museum. Idris does visit from time to time afterwards, but never reveals himself publicly to avoid capture.
 Ivor the Engine / int_d91d0365
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_d91d0365
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1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_d91d0365
 Ivor the Engine / int_d99a228f
type
Unusually Uninteresting Sight
 Ivor the Engine / int_d99a228f
comment
Unusually Uninteresting Sight: The top left-hand corner of Wales is utterly unusual – an engine drives itself and sings in the choir, dragons live in a volcano, animals in general have some degree of sentience – but no one minds in the slightest. Even the Narrator agrees that things are not at all usual, even for Wales!
 Ivor the Engine / int_d99a228f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_d99a228f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_d99a228f
 Ivor the Engine / int_dcd29760
type
They Would Cut You Up
 Ivor the Engine / int_dcd29760
comment
They Would Cut You Up: The reason that Idris and the other dragons fear national exposure by Mrs. Griffith's Antiquarian Society. The Society ends up declaring the dragons dangerous to the public, and wants them kept in heated cages at the National Museum.
 Ivor the Engine / int_dcd29760
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_dcd29760
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_dcd29760
 Ivor the Engine / int_e21faf11
type
Friend to All Living Things
 Ivor the Engine / int_e21faf11
comment
Friend to All Living Things: Ivor tends to make friends with animals, such as Bluebell the Donkey, and can actually call birds to him using his whistle. He and Jones make friends with Idris, a dragon, after he is hatched from Ivor's firebox, and Alice, an escaped circus elephant. Generally, Jones will talk to animals just like they were people, even if they can't answer back. Mrs. Porty herself treats Bluebell like a close friend, keeps several goldfish and a cat, and donates an old cuckoo clock to serve as a new home for a mother bird's nest.
 Ivor the Engine / int_e21faf11
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_e21faf11
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_e21faf11
 Ivor the Engine / int_e43c66bd
type
Art Evolution
 Ivor the Engine / int_e43c66bd
comment
Art Evolution: The series, though always low budget, went through quite the evolution from the black and white series to color. Character designs were refined, Ivor gained his distinct green livery, the animation was smoother (as Oliver Postgate had improved his techniques), and the backgrounds became evocative of the North Wales countryside.
 Ivor the Engine / int_e43c66bd
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_e43c66bd
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1.0
 Ivor the Engine
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Ivor the Engine / int_e43c66bd
 Ivor the Engine / int_e4ba33fc
type
Disaster Dominoes
 Ivor the Engine / int_e4ba33fc
comment
Disaster Dominoes: One winter episode, Ivor is enlisted to pull sledges (sleds) up a hill, but derails because he tries pulling up too many children. The Fire Brigade gets called in, but their rope snaps, and the fire engine also gets stuck in the snowbank. Finally, a crane from Pontypool Road tips over trying to rescue Ivor, but luckily, Bluebell summons Bani Moukerjee and his elephants to the rescue. Thanks to their efforts, everything is soon righted.
 Ivor the Engine / int_e4ba33fc
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_e4ba33fc
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_e4ba33fc
 Ivor the Engine / int_e6055047
type
Translator Buddy
 Ivor the Engine / int_e6055047
comment
Translator Buddy: Ivor can only talk using his whistle and steam pressure, so Jones the Steam interprets for everyone just what he is trying to express. How he achieved this skill is never discussed, but probably has to do with the close bond between a steam engine and its driver.
 Ivor the Engine / int_e6055047
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_e6055047
featureConfidence
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 Ivor the Engine
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Ivor the Engine / int_e6055047
 Ivor the Engine / int_e6114414
type
Prospector
 Ivor the Engine / int_e6114414
comment
Prospector: Mr. Dinwiddy the Gold Miner, who has already dug up most of the gold in his mine, but always puts it back again. He's a bit of a Cloudcuckoolander, and loves explosions and tinkering. He often has a need for new boots.
 Ivor the Engine / int_e6114414
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_e6114414
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_e6114414
 Ivor the Engine / int_ebcf99b5
type
The Unmasqued World
 Ivor the Engine / int_ebcf99b5
comment
The Unmasqued World: The existence of dragons in Wales is covered up by everyone to protect Idris and his family from being disturbed, until their existence is threatened by their volcano lair becoming extinct. Afterwards, the Antiquarian Society pitches in funds to help reheat their home using a half-crown operated gas meter. When money goes decimal (see Old British Money), the Society declares the project uneconomical and the dragons dangerous, leading to them arranging for heated cages in the National Museum. To help them escape this, Mr. Dinwiddy the gold miner blasts open a spacious cavern in his mine that is naturally heated by a volcanic fault.
 Ivor the Engine / int_ebcf99b5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_ebcf99b5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_ebcf99b5
 Ivor the Engine / int_ec200a54
type
Steam Never Dies
 Ivor the Engine / int_ec200a54
comment
Steam Never Dies: Justified. Though the M&L RT Co Ltd. is nearly merged with the Welsh National Railway due to rising costs, which means that Ivor would have been replaced with a diesel before long, the railway is saved by the intervention of Mrs. Porty, who buys the entire line to keep things as they are. When Ivor travels with Charlie Banger's Circus for a short time, Jones and Mr. Dinwiddy create a diesel engine out of a lorry, dubbing it "Juggernaut", but it soon proves to be an unreliable failure.
 Ivor the Engine / int_ec200a54
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_ec200a54
featureConfidence
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 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Ivor the Engine / int_ec200a54
 Ivor the Engine / int_eff83d77
type
Mundane Utility
 Ivor the Engine / int_eff83d77
comment
Mundane Utility: Has the pilot light in your stove gone out? Why not use a dragon to relight it?
 Ivor the Engine / int_eff83d77
featureApplicability
1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_eff83d77
featureConfidence
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 Ivor the Engine
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Ivor the Engine / int_eff83d77
 Ivor the Engine / int_name
type
ItemName
 Ivor the Engine / int_name
comment
 Ivor the Engine / int_name
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1.0
 Ivor the Engine / int_name
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 Ivor the Engine
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Ivor the Engine / int_name
 Ivor the Engine / int_name
itemName
Ivor the Engine

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Blush Sticker / int_dd9fd9b7
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Brits Love Tea / int_dd9fd9b7
 Ivor The Engine
seeAlso
Ivor the Engine
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
National Animal Stereotypes / int_dd9fd9b7
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Once for Yes, Twice for No / int_dd9fd9b7
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Parents Know Their Children / int_dd9fd9b7
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Planet of Steves / int_dd9fd9b7
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Prospector / int_dd9fd9b7
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Some Call Me "Tim" / int_dd9fd9b7
 Ivor the Engine
hasFeature
Timmy in a Well / int_dd9fd9b7