Later this month, the Severn Valley Railway is stepping back to the 1940s with two weekends of wartime nostalgia.

On Saturday/Sunday, 27th/28th June, and 4th/5th July, the “Step Back to the 1940s weekends” will allow visitors to experience life on the British home front. All parts of the railway will host appropriate events, with displays at stations.

At Kidderminster, visitors can expect to see a Hell Cat Tank and a display by vintage vehicles, a bombed-out building, and a replica living room, kitchen, post office, and general store. There will also be living history displays, an ARP post, a WVS display, an Anderson Shelter, and a garden privy.

As a break from the festivities, there will be entertainment from vintage singer Zakk Dien and live music from the Kalamazoo Dance Band and Pat Reyford. Visitors can also board a vintage bus for a ride around Kidderminster.

Bewdley will welcome visitors with a bombed-out shop in the waiting room, a Holidays at Home living history display in the station orchard, a military and civilian vehicle display, and entertainment from George Formby, otherwise known as Joe Thomas. Also, in the morning only, Laurel & Hardy will put in an appearance.

Arley will do its part for the wartime flavour with a display by the Home Guard and a wartime Anderson Shelter in the station paddock. To remember those who fell during the war, there will be a wartime silhouette walk through the garden. Throughout the day, Punch and Judy shows will keep visitors entertained, and there will be a display of a military hospital train, World War II weapons, and vintage vehicles, whilst Johnny Victory and Lancashire Belle will provide entertainment on the station.

At Highley Station, there will be a wartime encampment and displays of military vehicles and entertainment by Jeep Johnson (first weekend) and Lisa Morrall (second weekend). At The Engine House, a wartime Family Funfair will be in full swing, and there will be a vintage marketplace and a firepower display of military weapons.

Military Police will patrol Hampton Loade station, whilst at Bridgnorth, they will be assisted by Bridgnorth Cadets in,protecting the station.

All along the line, and on the trains, there will be costumed re-enactors immersing visitors in the period. Winston Churchill will deliver wartime speeches, Field Marshall Montgomery will address his troops, and the Home Guard, Military, and Police will be on the trains and at stations checking ID cards. Of course, wartime Spivs will also be on trains and at stations selling black market items.