If you’re looking for a nostalgic day out this autumn, look no further than this year’s annual Railway in Wartime event. This year’s focus will be a celebration of Victory in Europe! From Friday 12^th to Sunday 14^th October, re-live the amazing spirit and camaraderie of World War II and enjoy various war-themed entertainment and vehicle displays along the line.

New for 2018 - Levisham station will see a celebration of Victory in Europe which will include 1940s style show bands, music acts, dance troupes and much more. Acts already confirmed for this year’s event include: Kitty Lamare, The Daisy Belles, Fiona Harrison and Five Star Swing. 1940’s Five Star Swing was especially selected for the reunion party of the original TV cast of “Dad’s Army”, Churchill War Rooms, Westminster Palace, Imperial War Museum and H.M. The Treasury! The “G.I” musicians plus Simone as Vera Lynn will get you “IN THE MOOD” with the exciting vintage sounds of the 1940’s… sing-a-long with “We’ll Meet Again” & “The White Cliffs of Dover…

Additionally, you will be able to dine in the “British Restaurant”. Based on a national wartime initiative set up by Mrs Flora Solomon, who "pioneered the development of the staff welfare system" for Leeds-born retailer Marks and Spencer. Restaurants were set up in church halls, town halls and school halls serving basic food items at low prices. Churchill was very much in favour of this but disliked the original name “Community Feeding Centres” so suggested an alternative, the “British Restaurant”.

Laura Strangeway says: “The events team and Levisham Station Group have been working hard behind the scenes to create a new theme that we believe captures the spirit of Britain during the end of the war. The new theme has a light-hearted feel with historical underpinning to enable all passengers to enjoy. The railway has invested more time and money than ever before, and we hope that it will be a huge success.”

As usual, every station will play host to an array of scenarios. Goathland station will showcase the importance of the North York Moors agricultural landscape during the war. Pontefract Home Guard will be protecting the station with an HQ at the station entrance and dealing with the aftermath of an air raid.

RAF themed Grosmont will display the importance of the RAF during the war with visiting narrow gauge Talyllyn locomotive No 6 Douglas painted in RAF blue in celebration of the RAF100.

At Pickering parades will take place through the town, whilst at the station passengers can experience 'The Sidings', a wartime street featuring a 1940s style public house with real ale and live entertainment. 

For more information about Railway in Wartime, or to book tickets, please visit nymr.co.uk/wartime.     

 

Tickets

Images: Top Image Five Star Swing and Bottom Image The Daisy Belles.