Carnforth Station  - Brief Encounter - War Time Weekend

October 4th and 5th 2008

There new Web Site is located in above link !!!!!

In association with the Carnforth Railway Visitors Centre. Re-live the spirit, romance and drama of the 1940's. Civilian and military allied reenactors. WW2 jeeps, Trucks and Vintage Cars. Trade stalls. Live music, 40's DJ, 1940's dance and supper. Camping available. This event is held at the same railway station, and on the same platform, under the same clock as in the 1947 David Lean film "Brief Encounter", with Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.. Bringing the film back to life. Unfortunately, Saturday was cold wind and even colder rain. But the turn out was fantastic. Sunday was even better. The sun came out warm, and the wind dropped to a light breeze. The stalls on the platform were well presented as was Will's ever increasing display.

Elaine, Georgia and John, under THE Carnforth Station Clock. On a very wet Saturday afternoon

  One of the traders on a very cold , windswept platform.

Wills, with his family's ever growing collection. John (Dad), was saying they need a bigger vehicle now to carry everything.. Doesn't surprise me in the least.

Roops Flight Control Dodge, on the platform. Since the platform is completely under cover, it was quite dark, but with his love of storm lanterns, not a problem, and quite atmospheric.

Elaine doing her ENSA turn, and entertained us throughout the evening. John was unable to sing having bad laryngitis. He had plenty of sympathy as can be seen from the photo.

The dancing went on throughout the evening, with plenty of scope for strolling etc.

The normal restaurant area was turned into the bar, and a great job was made by the staff. There was the right amount a people there, not too much to be crowded out, seats for nearly everybody. It was a great atmosphere. This was the first time anything like this at the cafe, as the station is still a running main line station, with passenger and goods trains thundering through all day and night. We had to stay within the cafe area, as the main platforms were owned by Railtrak and Virgin.

This was a lovely picture, taken on Sunday Morning. The sun was out and the wind down

Barry deep in thought                                                          And the Jazz band in full flow in the cafe

This was interesting, 2 jeeps turned up, parked next to each other, drivers started chatting, as you do. Only to realise, that their jeep unit numbering as identical and in sequence.  8  78FG  83SQ   3   and    8  78FG  83SQ   4.   This was not staged or prearranged, they really did do this with no knowledge of the other, and just so happened to park next to each other. Spooky.

Richard's MAC and Dave's REO outside the station, with one of the old coal towers in the background.  This German radio van was interesting, no idea what it is though, somebody will tell me.....

The end of the weekend, and Roops and brother Mathew were relaxing.

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