The Isle of Man will be plunged into the 1940s later this month with a return of the popular Island At War event on the Steam Railway.
 
The weekend of 16-17 August will bring the spirit of the wartime era to life and everyone is invited.
 
Douglas Station becomes a military outpost on both Saturday and Sunday (16-17 August). Make sure you get your identity card and wave off genuine Island war veterans on the Steaming to Victory train – departs Douglas 14:10 on the Saturday. Enjoy the authentic wartime sounds of the Fabulous D-Day Darlings singing at Douglas Station on Saturday morning.
 
Castletown will be taken over by a wartime Scout camp, setting up a field hospital at the station along with displays of commercial and classic vehicles.
 
Meanwhile, Port Erin will enter into the spirit with many shopkeepers dressed in wartime outfits making ration books (discount vouchers) available to all. With 1940s games for children and sales of WI jams, there will be something for everyone. Listen to the Fabulous D-Day Darlings on Sunday morning singing the Songs That Won the War.
 
Passengers on scheduled steam train services will be able to see the rare sight of a crashed Spitfire – only viewable from trains.
 
For philatelists, there is a travelling post office operating between Douglas and Port Erin both days with facilities for posting letters to receive special railway postmarks.
 
Plus there will be an Evening At War dance to be held at a secret location on the Saturday evening. Travel by steam train departing Douglas at 19:00 to enjoy food, dancing and entertainment provided by the Fabulous D-Day Darlings. Tickets, priced ?39, are now available for the Island At War Dance from the booking clerk on (01624) 697457 or Steamdining@gov.im.  
 
For full details pick up the Island At War leaflet from main stations or go to www.iombusandrail.info.
 
Your railway needs you!