IT was a mix of nostalgia and fun when the Mid Hants Railway’s Watercress Line took a “step back in time” with one of its most popular events of the year.

The two-day Christmas Leave, held on December 26-27, saw the platforms at Alresford station transformed into a scene reminiscent of the 1940s.

More than 2,000 people were thought to have attended the event, and many were in period clothing, but what made it feel really authentic were those in military uniform representing all the services, and the realisation that 70 years ago young men would be coming back from war zones to snatch a few precious days with loved ones. For some it would be their last trip home.

However, as it was a chance to experience a 1940s Christmas it was also fun and there was plenty to see, as well as unlimited travel on the train. And even a fallen tree on the track on Tuesday failed to cause too much of a hold up in the celebrations.

Wartime music helped create the atmosphere as passengers stepped off at Alresford, all looking very smart, with the women all wearing 40s-style hats, furs and bright red lipstick and men not in uniform in city suits with bowler hats.

There they enjoyed military re-enactments, war games and an air-raid precautions display, and there was also plenty of food and drink, with no rationing to limit supplies.

And an uncannily life-like Winston Churchill lookalike, Britain’s wartime Prime Minister, also made an appearance.

Woodies Mountford, marketing manager at the Watercress Line, said: “We were delighted to offer our visitors the chance to take part in something a little different from the norm with our annual Christmas Leave event. Guests were able to feel festive and with the experience of Christmas on a Second World War railway.

“We hope everyone enjoyed joining in with the re-enactors, including soldiers, RAF and Royal Navy servicemen, female railway workers, Winston Churchill and the general public dressed in 40s fashion, giving a fantastic historical atmosphere for all the family.”