THE clocks will be turned back 70 years as the North York Moors Railway prepares to stage its annual “Railways in Wartime” weekend.

From Friday, October 10-12, anyone travelling along the historic railway will be greeted by 1940s characters, whilst the car park at Pickering Station will become a hub of entertainment and activity with vintage stalls and live bands. Marketing manager Danielle Ramsey said: “We have made a few changes this year so that we can cope with the tens of thousands of visitors that this event attracts every year.

“Due to the sheer number of passengers and re-enactors involved, access to the platforms at Pickering will be restricted to those who have valid tickets to travel and re-enactors, and we have moved more of our activities into the Pickering Station car park.

“We’re also hosting a marquee for the Sidings Theatre Club, and for just £1 admission, visitors can watch live music, singers, dancing displays and even a wartime cinema showing newsreel films to really get people in the 1940s mood!”

Further up the line, Levisham station will be transformed into the German-occupied French village of Le Visham, while Goathland Station will provide a home for Pontefract Home Guard.

And while Grosmont may be better known as a railway station, that weekend will see it become the base of operations for the RAF with a replica Spitfire, and, weather permitting, a Tiger Moth fly-by at 1pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

The 1940s action is not just confined to the railway, with a host of supporting events planned around the towns, too, including parades on both the Saturday and the Sunday.

A full programme and train timetable will be included in the North Riding Chronicle – the official newspaper of the Railway in Wartime Weekend which is available from Pickering Station for £1.

Visitors are advised to pre-book tickets via nymr.co.uk, in person from any of the stations along the line, or by telephoning 01751 472508.