THE Watercress Line is giving visitors the chance to step back in time with a weekend of 1930s and 40s nostalgia.

The heritage railway’s Alresford and Ropley stations will host the ‘New Era’ event, remembering the contrasting times of the 1930s glitz and wartime 1940s.

 On Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18 Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother reenactors will make VIP appearances and mingle with the crowds.

Guests are encouraged to dress up in period costumes, if they’d like, to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy jive music and swing era tunes, explore the vintage stalls, view vintage vehicles like ‘War Bikes’ and learn more about military history and life in the 1940s.

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Unlimited travel or the attraction’s steam trains will be available all weekend. Passengers can stop for a picnic or refreshments at the T-Junction or West Country Buffet and beer tent.

Music and dancing from the 1930s and 1940s will take over the railway with tunes from That’s Jive and singers Stephanie Belle and Lynsey Shaw.

New for this year’s event is the added bonus of evening entertainment capturing the glamour of vintage travel, which is available to book separately.

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The Watercress Line’s Interim CEO, Rebecca Dalley, said: “The 30s and 40s is my favourite era - the fashion, the music and the urgent sense of purpose make it a compelling time for nostalgia.

“It's a time when all long-distance travel was by train and the Watercress Line is the perfect place to soak up that atmosphere surrounded by the re-enactors.”

“Unlimited train travel will allow you to explore our perfect vintage stations, perhaps in the company of Sir Winston Churchill himself.”

For more information and for tickets go to watercressline.co.uk/special-days/new-era-30s-40s-weekend/.