On two weekends this summer, the Severn Valley Railway will take visitors back to the 1940s with its ever-popular ‘Step Back to the 1940s’ weekends.

On 24th and 25th June and 1st and 2nd July, all of the stations along the 16-mile line will recreate a festival of forties-themed fun. Music, dancing, food, displays, vehicles, and costumed re-enactors will take visitors back in time to the British home front in the 1940s. The railway is also encouraging visitors to dress up in 1940s outfits to fully create the spirit of those times.

During these weekends all services will be steam-hauled, and passengers will be able to get on and off the trains wherever they wish. Each day will feature a host of exciting and engaging activities, including speeches by Winston Churchill, 1940s singers and dancers, a wartime wedding, and fun jitterbug sessions.

At Highley, the Engine House will be full of vintage traders who will help visitors to fully immerse themselves in the experience and era in style. However, visitors should be on the lookout for shady spivs who’ll be up to no good if they think they can get away with it!

A special attraction and a first for the Severn Valley Railway throughout the June weekend will be a replica Spitfire aeroplane on display outside The Engine House, as well as an iconic Merlin engine that will regularly roar into life.

During the July weekend, the replica Spitfire and Merlin engine will be replaced by a range of vintage fairground games and rides such as swing boats, hook-a-duck, and tin can alley.

To complement the 1940s theme, the Severn Valley’s home-based locomotive Taw Valley, which last year was repainted in an unforgettable purple livery in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, will be revealed in a shining ‘wartime black’ paint to fit in perfectly with the 1940s events.

On both weekends, Kidderminster station will host ever-popular Big Band Shows on the Saturday evenings, but this year a specially built dance floor will be in place so revellers can let their hair down and ‘get in the mood’ of the 1940s.

“We’ve already been planning our 2023 weekends for the best part of six months,” said volunteer organiser Dave Brattan. “This year we’ve focussed on adding new features that we think will delight both regular attendees and a whole new audience who fancy stepping back to the 1940s for the very first time.”

Fellow organiser Paul Bowler added “It’s about showing people what life was like on the 1940s home front, rationing of food and clothing was everywhere, but the hardships endured by everyone formed a spirit of camaraderie between people of all classes.

“Women in particular played a key role, taking on the traditional work of men in the factories and fields. Very importantly, it’s about having a wonderful day out, and our vintage entertainers will make sure the whole thing goes with swing and style!”

Tickets for both Daytime and Big Band Shows are available now at svr.co.uk and discounts are available for advance and multi-day bookings.