1940's Weekend

Every year for one weekend in July, Havensteet station takes a trip back in time as it returns to the 1940's to remember the sights and sounds of this historic era.

Hundreds of enchanted visitors flocked to the Island Steam Railway over the weekend of 5 and 6 July to take a unique return journey back to the war years, where train rides in vintage steam locomotives, military vehicles, soldiers, civilians, street parties and evening dance were a common feature of everyday life.

Travelling right back to the war years

In making their way through the station gates, visitors' affiliation with twenty-first century mod cons diminished to pave the way for a world of make do and mend, with soldiers on the street and Land Army girls in the driving seats!

For the fifth consecutive year the Steam Railway and the Isle of Wight Military Vehicle Group joined forces to present a selection of military and civilian vehicles for display on the field to the rear of the main station. The National Army Museum provided several vintage vehicles, bikes and exhibits, which complemented the locomotives, wartime goods train and gas drills.

Nestled between the radical 1930's and the conservative 1950's, the first half of the 1940's was dominated by World War II, with the second half of the decade marking the beginning of the Cold War. In its re-enactment of the railway during wartime Havenstreet Station was dressed accordingly, with all staff and volunteers attired in the fashions of the era. Young boys wore long shorts, white shirts and braces with men adorning either military uniform or black 'Gangster Suits,' hats and blazers accompanied by brogues. Even engineers carrying out maintenance work on dormant engines got into 1940's character by donning traditional work wear.

Keep calm and carry on!

Various re-enactment groups recreated authentic 1940's street scenes; in one instance a mass scramble was caused as members of the French Residence attempted to take over Wootton Station. Wartime casualties were treated in the field hospital to the rear of the main Havenstreet site as enemy action caused travel delays for both military and civilian personnel.

The sound of the air raid siren precaution in and around the main Havenstreet station at frequent intervals alerted everyone's attention to what was an incredible period in Britain's history. Throughout a savage world war with its horrors and deprivation, despite the shortage of food and clothing, in spite of bombing and the constant risk of death or loss, during the 1940's ordinary British people obeyed government instructions to 'Keep calm and carry on'.

When the siren ceased, favourite forties tunes were played over the loudspeaker; from 'The Lambeth Walk' to 'Run Rabbit Run' and 'We're Gonna Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line' the nostalgic sounds of the wartime years helped set the tone for a memorable weekend.

In spite of the restrictions, there were plenty of good times to savour

This themed event provided spectators with the ideal opportunity to sample domestic life and meet the family in their 1940's home, take in some of the music of the day, enjoy fashion shows and in particular admire some wonderful steam trains and to travel through the attraction's three period themed stations.

Food rationing during the 1940's, especially the war years, made holding a party very difficult, if not impossible. Most food that was not rationed was in short supply. A mobile canteen (NAAFI Wagon) provided visitors with refreshments in the main station thoroughfare at Havenstreet, but fortunately for those harbouring more of an appetite, there was always Granny Winter's Pantry, serving a selection of delicious hot and cold bites. The Real Ale bar offered a range of fine ales and a selection of bottled beers, English country wines and traditional cider and was a popular retreat for weary civilians throughout the course of the weekend.

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