Severn Valley Railway to travel back to the 1940s
Visitors can step back into the 1940s at the Severn Valley Railway this weekend.
The railway will be transformed into a colourful snapshot of wartime Britain on June 24 and 25 and July 1 and 2.
Some famous faces, including Sir Winston Churchill and King George VI will be travelling alongside the passengers on the intensive service of "evacuation trains" for a steam train trip along the 16-mile line, from Kidderminster in Worcestershire to Bridgnorth in Shropshire, during both weekends.
A battle re-enactment will take place outside The Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley, taking visitors back in time to two days after the D-Day landings when paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines.
Visitors will be treated to a fire-fighting re-enactment and display at Kidderminster, courtesy of the NFA & AFS Vehicles Group.
The Engine House Visitor Centre will host a vintage market and hundreds of costumed re-enactors will be greeting visitors at stations as well as on trains, helping to tell the wartime story along the line.
Visitors can gain an insight into wartime life with exhibits including a replica air-raid shelter, bombed-out building, ARP Post and hospital train, as well as displays of historic civilian and military vehicles. Ladies can also head to the hair salon at Kidderminster to have their Victory Rolls done.
Musical entertainment from Paul Harper, 1940s crooner Kevin Mack and the D-Day Darlings will be getting people in the mood and a range of stalls selling 40s memorabilia will be on offer along the line.
A Lancaster and Spitfire are due to make an appearance to entertain visitors, courtesy of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight during the first weekend.
Clare Gibbard, the SVR’s marketing and communications manager, said: “Thousands of visitors head to the SVR each year for our 1940s events, which take over the Railway and transform it into a colourful, light-hearted celebration of 1940s Britain.
“It is always wonderful to see so many people who make such an effort to dress up in fantastic period costumes and really enter into the spirit of this ever-popular event.”
Tickets to the 1940s weekends are available to purchase at svr.co.uk
