The Railway Children was adapted from E. Nesbit’s novel into a film in 1970 and quickly established itself as perennial favourite amongst family audiences.

It is the tale of a family who are forced to move from London to a house in Yorkshire after the father is imprisoned on a mysterious charge.

There the three children, Roberta (Jenny Agutter), Peter (Gary Warren) and Phyllis (Sally Thomsett) are quickly entranced by the nearby railway and become friendly with the locals, such as the station porter (Bernard Cribbins) and the Old Gentleman (William Mervyn) who takes the 9:15 train.

Written and directed by Lionel Jeffries, it was a critical success on its initial release – receiving three BAFTA nominations – and has since become a much loved film through regular broadcasts on television.

It is getting re-released at UK cinemas this week in newly remastered digital print and I spoke with Jenny Agutter about her role in the film and its enduring appeal.