The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) will host its annual celebration of life in the 1940s from Saturday 25 until Monday 27 May.

The ELR, which opened as a heritage railway in 1987, operates steam trains from Bolton Street station in Bury, along a twelve-and-a-half-mile line between Heywood in Greater Manchester, and Rawtenstall in Lancashire. It has been running the 1940s Weekend for several years.

The theme of this year’s event will be the social and musical life of 1940s Britain, and includes musical entertainment from vocal harmony trio ‘Blue Bird Belles’ and DJ ‘A-Train Swing’.

Other entertainers will include The Ronnies; Lilli Moore; Lancashire Belle; Rum and Cola Girls; Leeds City Stompers; Washboard Resonators; Rossendale Male Voice Choir; Middleton Brass Band; Christopher and the Robins; and the George Formby Appreciation Society.

The Railway is urging visitors to “bring your dancing shoes”. 

Visitors will also be able to see an Avro Lancaster 1 fly over Rawtenstall on Saturday and Monday. 

The weekend will also feature food, fashion and memorabilia from the decade, helping to create what ELR aims to be “an atmosphere of hope and celebration … capturing the most positive aspects of this unique period in British history.”

ELR is encouraging visitors to “get stuck in” and wear period costume.

The Railway operates a policy regarding military uniform, which is available on its website. Also available from the same link are application forms for re-enactor passes and stalls.

There will be shunting displays every days, and visitors will be able to watch locomotives from times gone by carrying out their shunting duties from the viewing area at Bury Transport Museum.

Tickets for the event, which include a ride across the Irwell Valley on a steam-hauled train, are available here. More information about the event is available here.

Last month, ELR launched an appeal to raise funds for repairs to the High Woodhill Mill viaduct.

“The 1940s Weekend is one of our best attended days out in the annual calendar, and we’re delighted to see its return in 2024. 

“It’s great to see the community, young and old, come together to celebrate this incredible time period, and to remember those who sacrificed so much for the country. 

“This weekend is one you won’t want to miss, so make sure to book a ticket while you still can.”

Mike Kelly, Chair of East Lancashire Railway