Spirit of the 40s at the Severn Valley Railway

Home
United Kingdom
Kidderminster
Spirit of the 40s at the Severn Valley Railway

Welcome to the unofficial Severn Valley Railway 1940’s event Facebook site.

Volunteer run wartime weekend held on the Severn Valley Railway, celebrating the people, communities, heritage railways and experiences that bring the 1940s to life.

11/10/2026

Something New is Coming...Watch this space, The same fantastic atmosphere, heritage railways, entertainment, reenactments and with a new spirit.

12/09/2026

Throwback to October 2007; 46443 charges out of Bewdley with a Bewdley-Kidderminster shuttle running due to the flood damage earlier that year. A wonderful autumnal photo posted with thanks to Alan Corfield 📸

If you would like to see our engine steaming again please consider a donation to our Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ivatt2-46443-locomotive-group?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=EM 🚂

16/08/2026

We’re up and ready to go again at Chasewater Railway!

If you missed us yesterday, don’t worry — today is packed from end to end of the line. Expect brilliant entertainment throughout the day, including performances from the D‑Day Darlings voices choir… and of course, the highlight everyone’s waiting for: a BBMF Hurricane flypast at 12:38.
Grab your tickets, bring your friends, and soak up the 1940s atmosphere all over again.

15/08/2026

Today, Aug 15th, marks the 81st anniversary of VJ Day, and the end of the 2nd World War with the Japanese signalling their unconditional surrender, later ratified by the signing of surrender documents on Sept 2nd (VJ day for our American colleagues).

Whilst the Regiment fought predominantly in Europe, 1st Battalion undertook garrison duty in India until May 6th 1945, where they were involved in the largely unopposed landings of 'Operation Dracula' at and around Rangoon.

May saw mostly uneventful patrol work, until the 23rd where a platoon size force of A Coy led a successful day and night jungle march to surprise a Japanese strongpoint. With divisional artillery in support and aircraft providing comms cover, a "...brisk action with small-arms and hand-grenades, heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy before the patrol withdrew again into the jungle."

-Marcus Cunliffe, History of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1919- 1955

Maj Collins was awarded the M.C, L/Cpl Brooks the MM and Pte McCullum a mention in dispatches.

This would be 1st Battalions action in the Far East before being transferred back to garrison duty of Rangoon, and then Bangalore.

Cunliffe writes in closing of his section 'Pipped at the Post'

"... for the 1st Battalion, ended the long and thankless years of war service in India, broken only by a tantalizingly brief encounter with the enemy in Burma... Still, it's relatively inactive role- none of its own seeking- was carried out with dignity..."

Happy VJ Day!

-Picture courtesy of BBC News website https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-53594705

13/08/2026

08/08/2026

01/08/2026

How has it been a month since our event 🙈 Share your highlights and favourite bits in the comments below ⬇️

17/07/2026

IT’S NEXT MONTH!
Our 1940s Remembered Weekend is almost here — arriving on Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August 2026!

Get ready for a weekend filled with heritage trains, style, uniforms, vehicles, music, dancing, and living history as we step back into the sights and sounds of the 1940s.

Keep an eye out — tickets will be going on sale very soon!
This is one of our most popular weekends of the year, so make sure you’re ready when they launch.

Keep an eye on our socials for the official line‑up announcement coming shortly! We've kept your favorites with some new and exciting entertainment we are sure you will love this year!

Re‑enactors, displays & vehicle owners - there’s still limited space to take part.
Vehicles – https://forms.gle/waF2sBFDi9LaHgjB9
Re‑enactors – https://forms.gle/eXn4c1Lmkxfo6XtK7

The 1940s spirit is returning to Chasewater — and it’s just around the corner.
See you next month!

15/07/2026

Address

Kidderminster Station
Kidderminster
DY101QZ

Website

https://svr.co.uk/event/step-back-to-the-1940s-svr/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Spirit of the 40s at the Severn Valley Railway posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Spirit of the 40s at the Severn Valley Railway:

Show All