THOUSANDS of visitors filled the bunting-covered platforms of Severn Valley Railway over the weekend to soak up the spirit of wartime Britain.

Now the famous attraction is preparing to step back to the 1940s once again this weekend (Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5).

More than 3,000 visitors flocked to the railway on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy a raft of re-enactments, music and entertainment in true 1940s style.

Hosts of costumed re-enactors will once again be welcoming visitors and sharing the wartime story at all six of the railway’s historic stations and passengers can expect to share trains with evacuees heading to the countryside to escape the threat of enemy bombs.

Replica air-raid shelters, a German encampment, British Armed Medical Corps field hospital, Dig for Victory garden and privy, ID card checkpoint, replica 1940s house with resident family, as well as displays of period caravans and historic civilian and military vehicles are all on offer to entertain visitors.

Musical performers including a Banjo Band will be getting people ‘in the mood’, a range of stalls selling 40s memorabilia will be on offer along the line, an evacuation of school children will take place at 10.50am at Bewdley on Saturday and a 1940s wedding will be celebrated at Arley at 2.30pm both days.

The nostalgic enjoyment will continue past closing time on Saturday, with a Big Band Show at Kidderminster from 7.30pm, at an additional charge, followed by an explosive display as enemy aircraft loom overhead.

Clare Gibbard, marketing and communications manager for SVR, said the first weekend had been a great success.

She said: “It was fantastic to see the railway so colourful and buzzing with excitement and we were delighted with the response to our new Battle format, which literally went with a bang.

“People really got into the 40s spirit and some of the costumes and outfits were terrific – we are thoroughly looking forward to celebrating this amazing decade once again this weekend and would encourage people of all ages to come and join in the nostalgic fun.”

Tickets for this weekend’s 1940s event are available to purchase on www.svr.co.uk.