The ‘lost boy’ of The Railway Children has been found by the compiler of a book about the famous film.

Jim Shipley tracked down former child actor Gary Warren while updating his book The Making of the Railway Children.

In a new chapter, Jim has corrected the widely-held view of what happened to Gary after he played Peter in the famous 1970s film.

Jim said a five-page article, published with Gary’s permission, was among chapters that filled more gaps in the film’s history.

“The feature recalls Gary’s acting career, his brief flirtation with the pop charts and corrects some of the untruths circulating on the internet,” said Jim.

“It includes several previously unpublished photographs and finally brings his story up to date. It will surprise many people.”

Jim said nothing had been heard from Gary, with internet searches revealing only that he had moved to Canada to work in the fur trade.

Jim’s research revealed that neither ‘fact’ was true, and that Gary was living in Oxfordshire and had two grown-up children.

Gary starred in many TV programmes in the late 60s, including Catweazle, but gave up acting in the 1970s.

The new, expanded version of Jim’s 80-page paperback is now on sale, with extra articles and pictures.

Jim, the former Oakworth stationmaster, includes the reminiscences of both actors and local people in the £4.95 book.

In The Railway Children, filmed on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Gary starred opposite Jenny Agutter and Sally Thomsett who played his sisters.

The film featured the adventures of the plucky Edwardian siblings, who had been forced to move to a house next to a railway line.

The Making of the Railway Children is available by calling 01535 645214.