JEEPS, G.I.s and jiving were all helping to turn back time for a lively celebration of the Victory Generation at a Devon heritage steam railway last weekend.

The Buckfastleigh-based South Devon Railway held their  popular ‘Back to the 1940s’ event, a two-day that  transformed the heritage railway into a vibrant recreation of bygone days and  offered a nostalgic experience of life 80 years ago.

An array of vintage civilian and military vehicles, along with their historical re-enactors,  were on show at Buckfastleigh  Station, while further down the line at Staverton Station there was a wartime display.

Live entertainment was featured on both days and music from the South Devon Big Band and Fine Whines Vintage Jazz kept the crowds entertained, as well as dance displays and tutorials from the South West Lindy Hoppers who were able to groove to the tunes in the 1940s way.

Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh.Derek and Jane Narramore from South West Lindy Hoppers
Moving and grooving 1940s style - Derek and Jane Narramore from South West Lindy Hoppers (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. Checking out the 1940s fashions
Checking out the 1940s fashions (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. Can't leave that vehicle there Sir. MP Michael Dunbar of the 29th Infantry Division
Can't leave that vehicle there Sir! MP Michael Dunbar of the 29th Infantry Division (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. Paratrooper Dan James with his BSA folding parabike
Paratrooper Dan James with his BSA folding parabike (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh.Air Commodore David Pulman and Wing Commander Stephen Fryer
The boys in blue. Air Commodore David Pulman and Wing Commander Stephen Fryer (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. Maxine Millman from Bovey Tracey arriving in syle in a primrose yellow Austin 8 Tourer from 1946
Maxine Millman from Bovey Tracey arriving in style in a primrose yellow 1946 Austin 8 Tourer (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. Period music from Fine Whines
Period music from Fine Whines (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh.
Jeep inspection from one youngster (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh.
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh.
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh.
Jeep inspection from one youngster (Steve Pope/MDA)
Back to the 1940s weekend with the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. Mobile communications 1940s style
Mobile communications 1940s style (Steve Pope/MDA)