Wartime weekends - must we?

I don't know how these events come over to most enthusiasts (or visitors) but I find the whole thing most depressing. If you don't see why that is, no amount of persuasion from me will change your mind but, frankly, Peppa the Pig has much greater appeal. At least children will get something out of it.

No, I don't think the said children will get anything out of wartime weekends that they could not get through the endless reminiscing on TV anyway. (We haven't reached May 8th 2015 yet, groan, and then there's VJ day in August).

My father who lived through it as a young man didn't want to know. When relatives started to reminisce, he would say 'Oh no here we go again'. He lived for the future. Our country lives in the past like some gigantic theme park, of which the preserved lines are a component.

 

It depends how it is done, doesn't it? If the emphasis is placed on the comradeship (both civilian and military) that is surely reminding us of a special period in our history and is presumably why the focus is on WW2 rather than WW1 where the civilian population were much less directly involved.

Heritage railways are there because people like the er, heritage involved! If you find it so distasteful, then why are you here?

 

Well, just to cheer you up, there is the centenary of the First World War in 2014 to look forward to!
As regards WWII, my Father lived through it too and he tells me that he didn't enjoy most of the experience as it wasn't a re-enactment of course, it was for real. Indeed, I have just sent off for his Arctic Star medal which has finally been awarded by the Govt (as has the Bomber Command Clasp) as my father served on Arctic convoy duties amongst other things.
Whether you like it or not, there is a tremendous "feeling" for recent history (just as well really as every steam locomotive and piece of rolling stock would probably be consigned to razor blades if there wasn't) and particularly for the so-called "wartime spirit" however real or romantic a notion it might have been. As someone who wore a military uniform until recently for over 30 years I have never wanted to have a busman's holiday and take part in an event as a re-enactor, but I can understand why people do (as opposed to Morris Dancing which always seems a little bizarre to me!). I also enjoy anoraking by finding mistakes in the re-enactors' attire (RAF Officer's cap badge with a Sgt's uniform for example!).
Heritage railways make an excellent backdrop for "wartime" events and, of course, railways were the sinews of the Nation in 2 large conflicts as well as being the location of many sad farewells and some joyful reunions.
The big thing is also that they attract punters and bring in money!
the spectacle of a wartime weekend doesn't depress me but I'll share this with you, when I see 45551 "The Unknown Warrior" in steam at Llangollen in a very few years time, I'll be choked with pride and remembrance of all those who I have the honour to call brothers in arms. If you've served, you'll understand, if you haven't you'll never understand.

 

If you feel such contempt for preserved lines - why are you on this site?

Though having looked at some of your other postings, I think you're just a troll.

 

This is a bit off-topic (for which I apologize in advance), but I wouldn't be too sure of that.

Yes, those on the outside will never appreciate it as totally and completely as those on the inside will, but... one can make the same observation about those who've served together in combat, versus those who are in the service but never saw combat - there's a barrier there that only those who've "been there" can truly surmount. But that doesn't mean they can't, and don't, understand 'fairly well'.

Noel

 

Yes, why not. First of all they represent to key periods in the railway history. Secondly like the majority of us, I can safely say, we understand and accept the sacrifice earlier generations made so we can live in relative freedom today.

Unfortunately in this day and age the agenda is far to often hijacked by a small minority who find lime light by simply objecting to anything and almost everything with little understanding or support, they are given equal billing to the majority despite being often the voice of 1 by over simplified editorial views, we need some one far and some against, that makes a balanced program! Ignoring the numbers.

And yes me get the odd idiot who turns up to make trouble in one form and another, but we should not let them dictate the agenda at the cost of forgetting the sacrifice of the many for the few.

 

I often wonder what our friends on the Continent must make of this. WW2 ended nearly 70 years ago, and while I respect those who fought in it, or were otherwise involved, I feel that Britain gives an impression of constantly dwelling on the past. Do we seem to be rubbing Germany's nose in it to compensate for our economic performance having been so inferior to theirs?

 

I'm not a member of the Sealed Knot either but I don't begrudge them their desire to re-enact the English Civil War and I definitely don't think they are promoting some kind of unsavoury bloodlust. It just seems to me to be a kind of a interest or hobby, made more enjoyable by meeting like minded souls. A preserved railway line fits the bill perfectly to mutual benefit. I see not harm in it at all.
I think Howard is missing the point in front of him - the attendees are no more promoting militarism than old men at a Linedance are pretending to be real cowboys. It is just adults dressing up and pretending to be someone else.
Leave them alone.

 

They do tend to give that impression.

 

I hardly think preserved lines are going to drop what's generally a good money making event because the odd person doesn't like them, I can't stand kids and Thomas events, but rather than moan and demand they drop an event that makes good revenue, I just don't visit on that date.

 

Spot on. Far too many people want to ban things that they disagree with - Mary Whitehouse Syndrome. I say " if you don't like it, don't go."

 

I think there is too many of these yes.. but as you said you don't have to go....
The railways are trying different things too.. 60s weekends, Thomas, Ivor, the Titchfield Thunderbolt thing at NNR, lots of themed galas etc
BUT no matter what we think the platforms are full for these events... so it's all to do with revenue. If there really is too many and the numbers dropped the lines would not hold them...

 

Precisely. I don't particularly like these weekends so I don't go to them.

 

All I posted was that I find these events depressing. So now I am a troll, a Mary Whitehouse (that had me amused) you name it. I don't think these events have anything to do with railway preservation and a lot to do with fantasy in the minds of some people.

I agree, if it brings in the cash, so what!

I was expressing my opinion, which is OPs' right as well as mine - fair enough?

 

Perfect Opportunity here to say that next weekend is the GWSR 40's event (no mention of war) although its pretty hard not to have a 40's event without WWII being in there somewhere. There is a three engine diagram running with three very suitable locomotives. Currently 2807, 5542 and 8274 are diagrammed for operation. For this weekend 8274 will be running as WD 348 complete with air compressor and air receivers. This may be its only appearance in this livery (similar to 8233 as 307 in 2006) so its worth coming along. I'll get some pictures for the website and Loco dept blog.

 

I have not been to any other Railway's 40s events, but I have been to many SVR events and, for the last 10 years or so, have had the pleasure of driving the 10 coach evening special on the second of the two weekends. My overwhelming impression is of a lot of very nice people dressing up and enjoying themselves. Their (the events') enduring popularity speaks for itself. I have never seen anyone depressed. As several people have pointed out, attendance is not compulsory...

 

The way I see it, moralistic pontifications are invariably subjective.

Sure there's a line somewhere beyond which such events would become crass and horrid, but so long as that line is not crossed - or even is gotten close to enough to make such events really divisive - then they will continue, just as Peppa Pig, TTTE and Steam Galas continue, appealing to some and not to others. I think, if Howard really doesn't like such events and the sort of mentality that they stand for, that's his right and fair enough, but he's in a small minority and heritage railways 40s events are not the place to start on a moral crusade to stop Britain looking back nostalgically!

 

You also made a very contemptuous comment re theme parks and preserved railways

 

To be honest, I personally would be shocked to see to see wartime weekends come to an end! I think that wartime weekends and heritage railways fall side by side. They both fall into part of the era that we wish to preserve by running heritage railways.

I know many enthusiasts and volunteers from various railways (Myself being 1 of them!) that follow in both heritage railways and 40's re-enactment. I hardly believe that we carry out these weekends to remind the German's that they lost! In fact I know many German reenactors that come from across the Channel to join in.

I don't think that anyone should be depressed by our history, especially something of such historical importance. It is keeping part of our history alive for all to see, feel and understand particularly people who haven't got family left to discuss it with and certainly for newer generations.

Simply I agree with most on here.... if I don't like something I won't do it! But certainly I wouldn't stop others whom might enjoy it!