Ivor the Engine

In Ivor the Engine you step into the charming north‑west of Wales, where the tiny locomotive Ivor runs the modest Merioneth & Llantisilly Rail Traction Company line. The goal is straightforward and delightful: gather lost sheep scattered across the railway’s areas and fulfill the various tasks requested by Ivor’s friends. Each round, players move Ivor between zones using an area‑movement system, then play cards from their hand to decide how many sheep to pick up, where to deliver them, and which story events to trigger. Hand management is key, as the cards dictate both cargo capacity and story bonuses that can net extra points. Delivering sheep to a location earns rewards; completing Ivor’s story events grants thematic bonuses that can swing the score. The game runs about an hour, has a gentle learning curve, and is perfect for newcomers to pick‑up‑and‑deliver mechanics. The board, illustrated by Peter Firmin – the original artist of the TV series – adds nostalgic charm to the Welsh setting. At the end, the player with the most sheep wins, but the real fun lies in the race to rescue the fluffy herd and the amusing situations that arise from the stories. It’s a family‑friendly title, easy to learn yet strategically satisfying, especially for fans of trains, pop‑culture themes, and a dash of pastoral Wales.