Nostalgia of 1940s descends on heritage railway for weekend event

The clock is turned back to the 1940s at the Whitwell and Reepham Station. Members of the Allied Star re-enactment group enjoying a change of pace from the Second World War. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Hundreds of people descended on Whitwell and Reepham Railway for the event which featured highlights such as music from the era, wartime exhibitions of guns and rationing books, a traction engine and one of the station’s steam locomotives.

People also joined in by wearing period costume to celebrate the stoic way those left at home during the Second World War kept up morale.

Mike Urry, a trustee of the station’s preservation society, said the annual event was now in its eighth year and had grown in popularity.

“It’s very nice to see the station thriving, especially as it’s grown from nothing,” he said.

The clock is turned back to the 1940s at the Whitwell and Reepham Station. Maureen and Christopher Page in costume. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

“Our forties event is getting bigger and bigger every year and this year is the first time we’ve held a dinner and dance evening where our performer Leenie-Jayne sang and diners enjoyed a meal.”

The event took place on April 6 and 7.

The clock is turned back to the 1940s at the Whitwell and Reepham Station. Land army sisters, Samantha, left, and Sophie Bradfield. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

The clock is turned back to the 1940s at the Whitwell and Reepham Station. Members of the Allied Star re-enactment group enjoying a change of pace from the Second World War. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

The clock is turned back to the 1940s at the Whitwell and Reepham Station. Flt Sgt Derek Allen and his wife, Karen. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

The clock is turned back to the 1940s at the Whitwell and Reepham Station. June and Chris Allen. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

The clock is turned back to the 1940s at the Whitwell and Reepham Station. Railway guard George Sawyer-Stone. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

The clock is turned back to the 1940s at the Whitwell and Reepham Station. SSAFA charity volunteers, from left, John Steele, John Mithchell, and Stuart Jacobs. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

The clock is turned back to the 1940s at the Whitwell and Reepham Station. Lois Prismall, in her 1940s nurses uniform, and her husband, Garry, as a sergeant from the Metropolitan Police. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)