Island at War brings the 1940s to railway
17 Aug 2019 at 09:30 – 18 Aug 2019 at 17:00
Dust off your Vera Lynn LP, dig out the ration book and watch out for enemy aircraft overhead, it’s Island at War weekend.
The steam railway goes back to the 1940s this weekend to celebrate two days of events at Douglas, Castletown, Colby and Port Erin.
The weekend started yesterday (Friday) with a concert featuring the Swingettes, at the Ticket Hall in Douglas station.
Today (Saturday) the first trains leave Douglas at 9.50am and Port Erin at 10am. The Swingettes and the Southern Belles will be performing at both platforms throughout the days, alternating for each day.
From Castletown train station, visitors can take a ride aboard a history bus tour with Charles Guard at 10.45am both days and 2pm on Saturday and 1.30pm on Sunday.
At various times, the Home Guard Re-enactment Society will be performing drills and displays at Douglas and Castletown.
The Black Knight historical society is also performing re-enactments at both stations depicting the RAF, ARP Wardens and others.
On Saturday, the Veterans’ Express train will leave Douglas heading south to mark 80 years since the start of the Second World War.
The Scouts will be running games and activities such as the carrier deck landing game at Castletown.
And on Sunday, Colby AFC is hosting a farmers’ market at their pitch next to the railway station, 11am to 4pm.
And there is a collectors’ and antique fair at St Catherine’s Church hall in Port Erin on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
For more information call 662525 or visit www.rail.im.
To book the bus tour or the evening concert meals, call 697457.