Back to the 40s

Friday 14th, Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th June

Our team are busy working hard on this new event. We therefore intend to update this page regularly as the event nears. Are you a re-enactor, trader or have an exhibit you wish to bring to the event? Contact us!

About the Event

Our brand new event for 2024 lets you step back to the bygone era of the 1940s. We've teamed up with Bainbridge Events to bring you a truly nostalgic trip into the past. There will be interesting period displays, traders, music, dancing and re-enactors around the railway with everyone getting into the spirit of the 1940s decade. Don't forget the steam trains too!

The railway will be operating a special regular timetable, including the separate Ravenstor incline, and tickets are valid all day on any train plus entry to the event. Alternatively, visitors can purchase an event only ticket for the Wirksworth Station site.

Each day will feature a programme of different acts and exhibits which is outlined on this page. As this is a new event, we will be updating and refining the programme as the event nears so be sure to check back regularly. Be sure to purchase your tickets early to avoid disappointment!

Displays

Displays (location will be added closer to the event):

  • Spitfire Mark IX - reconstructed for static display, courtesy of WW2 Iconic Aircraft
  • Forties Re-Enactment North
  • Danger UXB - D-Day mobile museum
  • South Staffs Living History - Home Guard display
  • Austin 12 Panel Van
  • Barry Littlewood - ARP display
  • British Army of the Rhine Battle Group - Royal signals radio display
  • BBC at War - war correspondent display of cameras etc
  • Trent Valley MVT - Halftrack military vehicle
  • Leyland Hippo - military lorry
  • Afrika Korps 200fg-German tank officer tent set up 1943
  • Poor Bloody Infantry - Display of British airborne equipment on the jeep
  • 21st panzer division - Living history group who display the period of 1944 Normandy
  • World Wars Forces Network - Showing the public what Britains volunteered to do to keep the country safe
  • Sheffield Polar Bears & Bloody Red Tabs (49th Division LHA) - British Railway Transport Officer display, and British Infantry in transit/training for D-Day
  • Leicester Modellers and M4H Derby- WW2 related kit models on display
  • Lincolnshire Re-Enactment Display Group
  • Nattyjack and Co
  • Imps
  • LMS 10000 - Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society
  • 1st Airbourne Recce LHA

Traders & Re-Enactors

Traders (location will be added closer to the event):

  • Now & Then and Textile Treasures - clothing, hair accessories, hats, handbags etc
  • Sweet Memories Vintage - clothing, umbrellas, compacts, jewellery etc
  • Virtue to Victory - reproduced retro hand knitted/crocheted items
  • Patricia's Jams and Chutneys - homemade jams, chutneys and Derbyshire honey
  • Florence Barker - pre-packed sweets, rock, lollies, fudge etc
  • C&P Supplies - military uniform, badges, ladies 1940s clothing
  • Soldier Soldier - airsoft range, military clothing, airsoft accessories, kids toys

Re-Enactors

  • King George VI
  • Winston Churchill
  • Father Brown
  • Police re-enactment
  • Sergeant Major Marmite
  • Charles de Gaulle

Friday Programme

The daily programmes are still under development. More details and precise timings will be added here nearer to the event.

  • Lissie Allsopp - singer
  • Mary Kingsnorth - singer
  • King George VI - meet & greet and Kings Speech

Make Do and Mend Flower Brooch Workshop

Come and join Wild Roots Creative CIC on their 1970s first class static carriage for a relaxing craft experience. During the war people would make the most of any scrap materials to make their own jewellery and embellishments. Learn how to use small pieces of fabric and felt to fashion beautiful flowers which can be turned into brooches, added to greetings cards or used to embellish clothing. 11:00 - 12:30. Book now...

Saturday Programme

The daily programmes are still under development. More details and precise timings will be added here nearer to the event.

  • Jayne Darling - daytime - singer
  • Lily Lovejoy - evening - singer
  • Mary Kingsnorth - on board for tea - singer
  • Afternoon Tea on board the train (see below)
  • King George VI - meet & greet and Kings Speech
  • Winston Churchill
  • Dapper Dan
  • Shirley Mann - local author talk

Saturday Evening Entertainment

Click image to book tickets - £5.00 for the evening only or free for those with tickets for the day time however you must reserve your place.

Sunday Programme

The daily programmes are still under development. More details and precise timings will be added here nearer to the event.

  • Eric Umpleby - Padre mini remembrance service - morning
  • Bud and Ches - daytime - singers
  • King George VI - meet & greet and Kings Speech
  • Winston Churchill
  • BM&W Brass Band (afternoon)
  • Shirley Mann - local author talk
  • Vintage Vehicle and Re-Enactor Parade on Coldwell Street, Wirksworth 10:00 - 11:30

Car Parking

As we expect the event to be busy and some of the parking space at Wirksworth Station will be taken up by traders and displays. Therefore alternative off site parking with a free park and ride genuine 1940s bus 'Walter' to the event will be at The Lime Kiln pub DE4 4RF. This is just a few minutes walk from the station.

Map (click to enlarge)

Catering

  • The Station Cafe 10:00 - 17:00 - all three days - Wirksworth
  • The Apollo Bar - 11:00 - 17:00 Fri & Sun 22:00 Sat - Wirksworth
  • Ice Cream Shack - all three days - Wirksworth - weather depending

Dining on a Steam Train

Travel in style on board our steam train. Board the train early afternoon for a return trip from Wirksworth and we'll serve a freshly prepared delicious tea consisting of a small selection of sandwiches and a scone with jam and cream 1940s style. Be entertained during the journey by Mary Kingsnorth singing 1940s classic songs live on board. Must be pre-booked in advance, tickets for the tea train include a full day ticket for the rest of the trains and the event.

 

Ticketing

Day Tickets for the Train and Event Entry

  • £24.50 Adult (£21.50 online)
  • £22.50 Concession (£20.00 online)
  • £15.00 Child, Re-Enactors, persons in period dress (£12.00 online)
  • £50.00 Family 2A & 3C (£48.00 online)
  • £10.00 Members, Carers etc, persons bringing displays, vehicles & traders

Day Ticket with Tea on the Train

  • £79 Day ticket for two people (£39.50 each) with period afternoon tea on the train (Sat lunch)

Event Entry Only

  • £10.00 all day Adults
  • £5.00 all day re-enactors or those in period dress
  • FREE Under 16, persons bringing displays, vehicles, traders

Saturday Evening Dance

  • £5.00 per person
  • FREE for those with tickets for earlier in the day but you must reserve your space

Buy tickets now...

Online Advance fares available until midnight before the day.

Tickets for Saturday are valid in to the evening too.

Train Timetables for the Event

Timetables will be available closer to the event.

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