OVER 4,000 visitors and re-enactors flocked to Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway on Saturday and Sunday to take part in a 1940s weekend.

"We gave over the railway and turned it back to the 1940s," said Stephen Walker, business manager of the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

"A lot of people came in 1940s dress, as both soldiers and civilians."

"We had re-enactors set up camp nearby, they carried out various demonstrations and there were lots of cars and guns.

"But the highlight was a replica Spitfire that was on display at the Embsay Station. These were the famous planes that defeated the Germans in the Battle of Britain.

"We also had a Merlin Spitfire engine on display so people could hear the roar of the engines."

Mr Walker said that the annual event, which has been running for about 15 years, went "extremely well".

"It was a fantastic atmosphere and there was a real bonds between all of the re-enactors," said Mr Walker.

Mr Walker also said there were a lot of dogs, including one little chihuahua dressed in period costume.

"Maybe that has something to do with the fact that during the war ladies often had dogs as fashion accessories."

Visitors bought a railway and travelled back and forth between the Embsay and Bolton Abbey stations, the latter of which was set as the headquarters for the British Home Forces.

Re-enactors from the Haworth Home Guard even carried out unexploded bomb demonstrations to keep crowds entertained.

Although organisers pulled out all the stops to portray the dark days of the war, the warm and sunny weather added to a great atmosphere for the thousands of visitors who attended the event.

"This was probably the best and the friendliest event we've ever had," said Mr Walker.

"It was all about the British spirit."