1940’s Wartime Weekend
Saturday 28 – Monday 30 May 2011
It’s time for you to grab your ration books and dust off your medals because the 1940’s Wartime Weekend is coming back to the East Lancashire Railway. Last year’s event was a record breaking victory so you really will not want to miss the nostalgic celebrations this time around. Just make sure that your diary is clear between Saturday 28 May and Monday 30 May 2011.
This year we have a wide array of events that should see you through until Victory Day including:
- Re-enactors dressed in 1940’s fashion (feel free to join in!)
- Evening dances and themed shows with ENSA entertainers and Big Band
- Vintage fashion, military items and wartime inspired food stalls
- Allied camp with authentic military set up
- Battle re-enactments
- Fire power at its best at the Blitzkrieg
- Air Raid Bunker
- Vintage and military vehicles
- Afternoon tea dances and brass bands
There will be special events happening at all of our stops and at the Bury Transport Museum, be sure that you don’t 
miss:
- Extra 1940’s Wartime themed features in and around the Bury Transport Museum, remember a full line return ticket gets you into the museum for free!
- Make Do and Mend activities and an exhibition of wartime art at the Fusiliers Museum. Join the staff at the spring craft fair and see art inspired by the War.
- Swing along to the ENSA entertainers at Ramsbottom and enjoy an afternoon tea dance.
- Explore an authentic recreation of a military camp at Irwell Vale, complete with a show of period military vehicles.
- Experience the thrill of battle at Heywood station with an all new battle re-enactment.
- Enjoy the glamorous charms of Miss Katie Spitfire as she entertains the troops and watch an exciting recreation of a battle at Rawtenstall
- The popular Palaise Glide Dance will be taking place in Bury Town Hall (booking forms are available upon request)
Don’t forget that the festivities will be going on all weekend so don’t stop at just one visit if you want to get the full experience.
Download the 1940s Wartime Weekend Programme for further information.
Click HERE to download a booking form for the dances.
Ticket Prices
Please note that for this weekend a best value event rover ticket will be made available. This ticket entitles you to unlimited travel all day and offers free entry to the Bury Transport Museum. The prices are as follows:
Adult £16.00
Child (aged 5 to 15) £10.00
Concession £13.00
Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £42.00
Standard tickets will also be available throughout the event.
No pre booking required just show up on the day.
Event Timetable
Download the Public Timetable 28 -29 May 2011.
How to Get There
There will be easy access to the event with FREE parking facilities adjacent to the ELR station in Bury, Heywood, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall.
Park & Ride is available at Heywood, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall. Click here for address details.
Regular services between Rawtenstall and Heywood operate throughout the event.
Alternatively, why not leave the car at home and travel by public transport? The East Lancashire Railway is in the heart of Bury, easily accessible by all forms of transport with Bury Interchange only a five minute walk away. Blue badge parking is available at Bury Transport Museum
Access and Facilities
All stations are fully accessible for visitors in wheelchairs. There are toilet facilities at Bury, Heywood, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall and baby changing facilities on Platform 2 in Bury and at Ramsbottom.
Food and Drink
An army marches on its stomach and if you get hungry during the event there are plenty of places to eat. The Trackside will be providing hot food throughout the day, the Last Stop Café in Rawtenstall and the Buffet on Platform 3/4 in Bury will serve a wide range of snacks and drinks. You won’t even need to bring your ration books.
Contact Details
For further information please phone 0161 764 7790 (lines are open 7 days a week, 10am – 4pm).