Every year in Early October, Pickering gets transported back to the 1940's to commemorate those who worked on the railways during the war.  This event has been running for 24 years are every year it gets bigger.   This nostalgic three-day event sees thousands of people kit themselves out in 1940s-style clothing and participate in re-enactments, marches, vehicle parades, musical shows and other entertainment along the entire length of the North York Moors Railway from Pickering to Whitby.



The event kicks off on a Friday with an evacuation of the school children. They are all dressed up in period-style clothing complete with flat caps and ration boxes. Other activities are held during the day including a flag raising ceremony at the railway station in Pickering. The day finishes with large number of the re-enactors ending up in the pubs on Friday night most of which have been kitted out with camouflage netting and sandbags in order to play their part.



Levisham station (one of the stops along the North York Moors Railway line) becomes

"Le Visham" and represents a French resistance village occupied by the Germans. 2011 saw an attempt by German scientists to construct a V1 rocket as well as other  re-enactments. In Goathland and Grosmont (further along the railway line) there are military vehicle displays, mock air-raids and VE day celebrations.

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A remembrance service complete with wreath laying is usually held in Pickering on Sunday morning.

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Whether you want to dress up in period costume and get involved, or just do some sightseeing, it’s an excellent festival and fantastic fun for the whole family.