SEVERN Valley Railway (SVR) is gearing up to host its second Step Back to the 1940s event this weekend (July 5 and 6) following its first set of nostalgic celebrations last week.

About 4,000 people turned up to last weekend’s event to experience a taste of what life was like in the 1940s, featuring re-enactments, entertainment, music and memorabilia.

Clare Gibbard, SVR's marketing and communications manager, said: “The first of our Step Back to the 1940s weekends proved a huge success despite some heavy rainfall on Saturday.

“Visitors seemed to thoroughly enjoy all the activities and entertainment on offer during the weekend, with a spectacular Spitfire flypast along the Severn Valley on Sunday afternoon proving to be a fantastic addition to the programme and a real treat for our visitors.

“We’re now looking forward to doing it all over again this weekend.”

Attractions on Saturday and Sunday include a blackout fair, which features a helter skelter and family fairground rides, replica air-raid shelters, a wartime operations room and a full-size replica Spitfire.

Some of the main attractions of the weekend’s event are the 1940s house, as well as a 1940s-style wedding and a convoy of military and historic vehicles, which will make their way from Kidderminster to Arley.

The railway is also hosting a special evening dining service, which will run on Saturday night, while a closing ceremony will round off the event at the front of Kidderminster station on Sunday at 4pm.

A VE Day celebration show, hosted by Peter Wayre and featuring a cast of entertainers as well as a fireworks display, will take place at Kidderminster station from 7.30pm on Saturday, at an additional charge.

Tickets for one day of the event can be purchased on the day from booking offices. Two-day rover tickets are available.

For more information call 01562 757900 or visit svr.co.uk