The late Lionel Jeffries' beloved film version of E.S. Nesbit's The Railway Children, starring Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbins in a tale that has inspired kids and parents alike since its release in 1970, has undergone a restoration to mark its 40th anniversary and is to be re-released in UK cinemas in April, followed by a DVD and Blu-ray release in May.

When Father is mysteriously taken away by the police one night, Bobbie (Jenny Agutter, Walkabout), Phyllis (Sally Thomsett) and Peter (Gary Warren) move to the country with Mother (Dinah Sheridan, Genevieve) to start a new, more modest life. The children wile away the summer days playing on the local railway, where they make the acquaintance of station porter Mr. Perks (Bernard Cribbins, Dr Who, The Wombles, Jackanory), and the Old Gentleman (William Mervyn), who waves to them from his 1st Class carriage every morning. In awe of the great steam locomotives that thunder down the track, the children's resourcefulness is put to great use whilst they await news of their Father: one day preventing a derailment, the next saving an injured cross country runner.

To celebrate 40 years since the release, the digital restoration will be premiered as the Closing Night Gala at Bradford Film Festival – just 30 miles or so from where most of the film was shot. A nationwide release follows on 2nd April, in time for the Easter holidays. Look out for some kids' fun days and special events along the Keighley & Worth Valley railway, including a press launch for the reissue, on the still-operating steam train that includes some of the original Railway Children carriages.

The Railway Children will be released on Special Edition DVD & blu-ray on May 3rd. More details of this release when we have them.