1940's events in 2022 - yes or no

It is interesting reading the comments that have arisen in response to these cancellations. I am obviously far too young to have experienced the horrors of the wars these events focus on, but they have always interested me as they bring out old vehicles, costumes, re-enactors etc. to create an 'image' of what the period was like, and I go in fully aware of the difference between the front lines and what I am experiencing on the day.

The GCR have, I believe, arranged battle re-enactments in the past (and I recall seeing a stunning photo of a controlled 'explosion' at one of their stations) and while nothing will ever portray the horror of the front line fighting and at-home bombings, these weekends can surely be as educational as they are 'entertaining'? Communities did band together to keep spirits up; soldiers did come home and reunite with loved ones; patrols were carried out by home-guard. And whilst they weren't safe, railways did play a vital role in war too, so why should that not be reflected in some form?

They doesn't represent the whole demographic of course, but both my grandparents (who lived through and lost loved ones during WWII) visited a forties wartime weekend a few years ago and enjoyed the atmosphere, period costume etc. Not everyone will feel the same, and rightfully so. As outline in the original post, 'celebrating' war as a new major one unfolds is probably not a wise move, but I certainly hope this isn't the end of them on the whole.

It will be interesting to see if anywhere else does cancel theirs. Two have confirmed publicly so far, and I know other places are currently looking at theirs.

 

I don't think they should be going ahead.

I've never really understood the appeal of 1940s / War weekends and would never attend one. Seems to me like fun made out of the death of millions. It shouldn't be forgotten, but I don't think it should be celebrated either.

 

Where exactly is the educational aspect of these events? You might as well claim a steampunk weekend is educational about the Victorians. A load of Walter Mitty's who think Dads Army is a documentary, prancing about in ill fitting uniforms probably isn't what was going on back then.

 

The heritage sector needs to avoid the negative publicity that these events would inevitably give rise to when it has to fight its corner to retain the ability to burn fossil fuel.

 

I see no harm in an event which emphasises the transport role played by railways in WW2 and/or the late 1940's era in general.
An event which heavily features the military aspects would probably be perceived by many as being in poor taste.

 

I fairly recently turned up at the GCR and discovered to my horror it was a Steampunk event. About half an hour later l had completely changed my mind and thoroughly enjoyed it! I see no problem within reason to people dressing up with a British theme. Might l suggest a non military late 40's 50's or early 60's theme would be appropriate? I did once travel miles to Goodwood for an event which seemed to accurately represent the era of my childhood. It was quite emotional to be immersed in another age l could relate to . People attending were advised to dress accordingly if possible. Not a fleece , shell suit or a pair of trainers to be seen !

 

Indeed, there is. It's the way they're mixed with memories of Allo Allo that I struggle with.

 

The NYMR have now cancelled their event and instead are making a donation to the Ukraine crisis appeal: https://www.nymr.co.uk/News/nymr-to-donate-weekend-ticket-sales-to-ukraine-crisis-appeal?fbclid=IwAR3C_S9jugIQRBz8XcG4cX2o7uwzFJ4iqJK4q58Pe6tb1OAdeklu-JXrw2s

 

Strictly speaking if railways want to have a running gun battle in the name of realism, it should be a recreating the Battle Of Bamber Bridge. It is just about the only battle to have happened on the mainland UK. I'd pay a little money for that.

I really thought they'd fully canned them but maybe I mixed that up with them making people Mad Online for asking people don't dress as nazis. Which if that makes people angry, then maybe they should be nixxed till a few days after the end of time. It sounds like more hassle than its worth to police.

 

The GCR one has been cancelled and replaced with something more suited to the weekend they were going to hold it....
https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/2022/03/weekends-celebration-of-the-queens-platinum-jubilee/

 

I wonder if their celebrations will include something to mark her role as an ambulance driver during the 1940s?

 

Am I the only one who thinks these railways are playing at virtue signalling? What's going on in Ukraine is appalling but they seemed happy enough to have wartime events in spite of wars elsewhere.

 

I prefer to see it as seeing the light.

 

There was commentary on the NYMR socials that in fact it almost was quashed in the run up to Iraq 2. But this is a nation of War Noncery who love nothing more than to virtue signal a love for "remembering the war" but let veterans suffer openly while a bunch of Mittys struggle into their surplus gear and play soldier. I do hate the phrase "virtue signalling" as it seems to suggests doing the right thing is bad. No one called for these events to be canned but they have by people in the inner workings because the sector is full of people who can see further past the end of the buffers.

The GCR have replaced theirs with a Jubilee event so those who get tumescent over Vera Lynn can still get their kicks.

 

Given the current international situation, the NYMR's decision to cancel their Railways at War Gala is a sensible decision. The decision to donate ticket sales to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal is also commendable. Whilst such events have previously been fairly sentimental and relatively harmless, the current sickening situation of international conflict and atrocities now casts an all too present shadow.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/0...te-ticket-sales-to-ukraine-crisis-appeal.html

The question is, will other railways follow? The Severn Valley has long prospered on its 1940's weekend which ostensibly linked to WW2 and I hope that they follow suite or at least change the decade.

 

Credit to the HRA for identifying the potential sensitivity of such events

 

We were on the winning side, without ussr manpower and us materiel, things may well have been different.

 

The western allies supplied quite a lot of stuff to the USSR during the war too.