Every October, the North Yorkshire Moors Railways recaptures the spirit of the second world war, with its War Time Weekend. It is an anual tribute to the men and women who kept Britain's railways running throughout the war. To remember them, they recreate the sights and sounds of those dark days. Every hour, steam trains leave with servicemen and women, factory workers, land army girls, nurses ..... and you! The weekend begins with the ceremonial flag raising on Friday, and continues until it is lowered again on Sunday afternoon. Hundreds of skilled re-enactors help create the authentic atmosphere that has earned it an international reputation for authenticity. Goathland, and all the other stations from Grosmont to Pickering are dressed with wartime signs, notices, sandbags and taped up windows, and re-enactors are everywhere, showing how life was during the war years. On saturday, there is a parade in Pickering, and in the evening, a superb dinner dance, complete with NAAFI canteen and Glen Miller type orchestra.
The dates for the wartime weekend next year (2008) are 10th, 11th, 12th October. (tbc) |
