A STEP BACK IN TIME: 1940S WEEKEND COMES TO GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY THIS MAY

Across the two-day event, the Great Central Railway’s period stations will be transformed into a tribute to the 1940s, with vintage trains, authentic re-enactments, live entertainment, and displays all combining to create an immersive atmosphere across the line.

Authentic steam-hauled passenger and good trains will run between GCR’s beautifully restored, period stations, offering visitors the chance to travel as people did during the war years. Alongside a busy timetable of railway action, a display of classic vehicles including military transport, motorbikes, pre-war cars and steam traction engines will bring the roads of the era back to life.

Visitors will also be able to explore a wide range of authentic displays, from military encampments to exhibits focusing on civilian life and local history. The Quorn Local History Group will present a detailed look at the village during the 1940s, covering everything from evacuees and wartime industries to the presence of the 82nd Airborne and the local POW camp.

Re-enactors in period dress will be stationed across the railway, portraying soldiers, civilians, and Home Front workers, helping to recreate the realities of wartime life. Highlights will include a Merchant Navy-themed re-enactment and a wartime firefighting demonstration, offering a deeper insight into the challenges faced during the decade.

A vintage market at Quorn will offer a range of vintage clothing, accessories, and jewellery, giving visitors the opportunity to fully embrace the style of the period while food and drink will reflect the era, with 1940s-themed menus available across the railway. Guests can enjoy a pint of Quorn Tin Shed Real Ale, traditional afternoon tea, and a variety of wartime-inspired dishes, bringing the flavours of the decade to life despite the spirit of rationing!

A full programme of Entertainment will feature across the weekend with live bands, singers, and dance demonstrations, performing music that defined a generation. A newly installed dance floor in the Quorn and Woodhouse marquee will give visitors the perfect place to jive, while a new entertainment marquee at Rothley station will add even more to the lively programme.