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Severn Valley Railway announces return for popular 1940s events

Severn Valley Railway has announced plans for the return of one of its major events.

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A previous 1940s event held by the railway

The heritage railway will be transporting visitors back in time with the return of its Step Back to the 1940s event on June 26 and 27, and July 3 and 4.

After its absence from last year’s calendar because of the pandemic, the railway says the vintage event will celebrate "the best of Britain on the home front".

The event, which has been a staple of the Severn Valley Railway’s diary for more than 20 years, encourages visitors to dress in period costume and relive the era through music, dance, food and a whirlwind rail adventure.

More Covid news:

As well as the usual festival of vintage delights, a number of changes have been made to the event to ensure Covid safety for all visitors.

Parties will be allocated a compartment or socially-distanced table before being whisked away on their vintage train to travel back in time to interactive experiences and events along the line.

Visitors will experience a 1940s wedding, rifle training, vintage vehicles, marketplaces, living history displays, military encampments and more.

The Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley and all the SVR’s pubs and cafes plan to open in line with the expecting lifting of government restrictions.

Helen Smith, general manager of the SVR, welcomed the return of the event, saying: “We know how popular this event is and we can’t wait to see a whole host of returning faces, along with some new ones, all looking for an exciting day of vintage discovery.

“Although we’ve had to change the event slightly to ensure a Covid-safe experience, we can guarantee a 1940s adventure to remember. The moment you step onto the railway, you’ll be transported back in time to a world of George Formby, Laurel and Hardy, cold beer and spam sandwiches.”

Tickets cost £35 per person for a full day experience departing from either Kidderminster or Bridgnorth. They will be available from 9.30am on Monday, March 22, at svr.co.uk