TRANSPORT yourself back in time to the 1940s, against the backdrop of a Second World War railway, to experience the ‘Blitz spirit’ at the Watercress Line this weekend.

Visitors can enjoy unlimited train travel and mingle with civilian and military re-enactors, hop off at each station to explore period displays, music, dancing, vintage vehicles and stalls selling retro wares.

Each station provides a different experience of life in wartime Britain. There’s a chance to help run the recreated Royal Air Force (RAF) plotting room, dance alongside GIs, learn about the ‘Home Front’ and wartime railway manufacturing or have hair styled for the 1940s.

‘Pearl’s Pin-up Parlour’ will be on hand at Ropley to give guests the period look, with nostalgic hair-dos and vintage make-up and there will be an American-styled Donut Wagon for visitors with a sweet tooth at Alresford station.

Ropley station will be decorated with vibrant, crochet poppies to commemorate wartime soldiers and the Saturday event will feature a Spitfire flying over Ropley.

Alresford businesses are also immersing themselves in the event, by dressing their shop window displays with an ‘Americans in Alresford’ theme. War on the Line is as much about reliving this period as enjoying the steam trains, and is open from 10am to 6pm this Saturday and Sunday.