THE North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s 1940s-themed weekend was the first of its kind to appear in the UK, and, though many similar events have since followed in its illustrious train tracks, it is still one of the largest events of its kind, having grown into something of a phenomenon, attracting tens of thousands of people every year.

Yet it wasn’t always planned to become such a landmark event.

The Railway in Wartime event came into being in 1992, when a small group of railway volunteers came up for ideas for an attractive event which would bring visitors to the railway at the end of the season.

Alan Smith, then shops manager, approached former chief executive Ken Kitching with a concept.

Through his keen interest in the RAF and Royal Observer Corps, he came up with the idea. Through his contacts at Eden Camp and the Yorkshire Air Museum, Ken was convinced, and agreed to it.

With the help of the station groups along the line, staff and volunteer costumes were found and displays organised, with the entire NYMR getting into the spirit.

The Railway in Wartime event drew plenty of media attention and for the next four to five years, it steadily grew each year, with re-enactment groups showing their support and Geoff Pearson, a member of Pickering Station Group, helping to carry the event to new heights.

However, it wasn’t until the Rev Ivon Baker became involved, who realised that there needed to be changes if the NYMR was going to continue this event, that the event became destined for the format we know today.

He realised that they needed to ‘do it right’ and to the military standards, and in 1996, he was appointed event commander.

Twenty years on and the NYMR still follows Ivon’s ideals and from small beginnings, the event has grown over the years into a mammoth three-day event.