The Severn Valley Railway has announced details for this year’s two 1940s weekends, taking place in June and July.
The annual events allow groups to get a feel of the atmosphere from 1940 and up to 7,100 people attended last year.
All six stations of the railway will be transformed into an example of wartime Britain and this year, visitors boarding the SVR’s ‘evacuation trains’ may bump into actors dressed as Sir Winston Churchill, King George VI and General Montogomery.
A battle will take place over four days outside The Engine House in Highley, where paratroopers will battle to destroy an enemy ammunition train.
Ladies can also treat themselves to some vintage hairstyles at the hands of a period hairdresser at Kidderminster.
Additionally, a range of stalls selling 1940s memorabilia will be on offer along the line, and artist will perform music from that era.
Spitfire and hurricane planes, often considered to be icons of the airborne war effort, will fly past on different days, and hundreds of costumed re-enactors will greet groups at all six of the railway’s stations, as well as on its trains.
There will also be replica air-raid shelters, bombed-out buildings, ARP posts, a Dig for Victory garden and privy, ID card checkpoint and hospital train for visitors to explore, as well as displays of historic civilian and military vehicles.
In Arley, a 1940s wedding will take place each day and there will be big band shows to be held in Kidderminster on 25th June and 2nd July.
Clare Gibbard, the SVR’s marketing and communications manager, commented, “Our 1940s weekends are always a huge hit with visitors who come back time and again to enjoy this all-encompassing celebration of the enduring spirit of 1940s Britain.
“We’re sure they will prove one of the key visitor events of our 2016 schedule, which features some new additions, including our Pacific power – Tornado meets Scotsman event in September, our Steam on the Road event in August and our Season Finale Gala in November.”
The weekends will take place between 25th and 26th of June and 2nd and 3rd of July.
Group discount will be available for groups of 15 or more.
For more information and to book tickets visit www.svr.co.uk.
