The West Somerset Railway is going back in time later this year with 1960s and 1940s weekends.

1960s Weekend:

On 8th and 9th July, a 1960s Weekend will take the railway back to 1964 when local schools were disrupted by the arrival of the Beatles and Wilfred Bramble filming the iconic comedy film A Hard Day’s Night on the railway at Minehead and Crowcombe Heathfield, making the area a magnet for Beatles fans.

The railway will recreate those heady days of the ‘swinging sixties’, so visitors should dust off their flares and mini-skirts, let their hair down, and enjoy the fun.

The 1960s also saw the end of steam locomotives on British Railways and their replacement by diesel engines.

To reflect this, trains will be hauled by a mixture of steam and diesel locomotives and there will be a recreation of the Class 35 Hymek-hauled ‘Beatles train’.

At different points along the line and there will be live music, as well as the return of the popular platform dance on the Saturday evening. The final line-up of performers is still being drawn up, but will certainly not disappoint! Among those already confirmed are Helen Pearson and the Pashy Pops.

There will be classic vehicles of the period on display, and a fashion parade highlighting the fashions of the period. To celebrate the iconic status of the Beatles, at several locations, there will be displays commemorating their visit to the line.

Further details of the timetables and line-up of musical acts will be announced shortly.

1940s Weekend.

Going back to wartime will the 1940s Weekend the railway will remember when West Somerset was heavily involved in WW2 when there were military camps at Doniford, Minehead, and near Bishops Lydeard. Many of the old pillboxes used in coastal defences can still be seen.

The 1940s Weekend will take you back to those heady days as it aims to recreate some of the scenes that would have been common throughout the area at that time. Military vehicles of the period will be on display, and military camps can be visited where uniforms and weaponry of the time will be on display.

At Watchet, there will be a popular vintage fair on the Esplanade, and the town will be decorated with bunting and windows will be blast-taped. At Minehead, there will be live music.

On the Saturday evening, there will be a platform dance featuring the Liberty Sisters and the Hot House Combo. Anyone who is unsure about your jive skills can take advantage of free jive classes at different times throughout the weekend.

Live music will also be provided by Blitz Time Sally, Helen Pearson, Johnny Victory, May Blossom, the Pashy Pops, and more.

During the weekend visitors may see King George VI and his escort, or be entertained by Laurel and Hardy. Dottie and Biscuit will provide comedic instructions on air defence and other topics, while nylons, watches, and other ‘knocked off’ items can be bought under the counter from Viv the Spiv.

To enjoy the full scope of the event steam trains will allow visitors to travel between stations along the line.