Preparations for the North Norfolk Railway's annual 1940s weekend are well and truly underway, with thousands of people set to descend on Sheringham and Holt at the weekend.

North Norfolk News: The North Norfolk Railway 1940s weekend: at Weybourne Station in 2011. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLYThe North Norfolk Railway 1940s weekend: at Weybourne Station in 2011. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2011)

The event is now one of the biggest of its kind in the country, but, when the idea was first hatched 15 years ago, it was a much smaller affair.

Launched as a 'wartime on the railways' day in 2003, the forties weekend started life as a celebration of the role the railways played in the Second World War, from transporting troops, to taking more than three million evacuees to their temporary homes.

North Norfolk News: North Norfolk Railway 1940s weekend: at Weybourne Station in 2011.PHOTO: ANTONY KELLYNorth Norfolk Railway 1940s weekend: at Weybourne Station in 2011.PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2011)

The 1940s weekend has since grown to become the most popular event in the North Norfolk Railway calendar, with more and more people getting involved each year - from traders, community groups and townsfolk, to visitors from as far afield as Leicestershire, London and Yorkshire.

Here are a few photos from the early days, can you spot anyone you know?

North Norfolk News: A 1940s Bobby collars a 'youngster' with a slingshot on Sheringham station in 2013.Photo: KAREN BETHELLA 1940s Bobby collars a 'youngster' with a slingshot on Sheringham station in 2013.Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

North Norfolk News: A 1940s couple snap a selfie on Sheringham station in 2013.Photo: KAREN BETHELLA 1940s couple snap a selfie on Sheringham station in 2013.Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

North Norfolk News: 1940s weekend at Holt Station.PHOTO: COLIN FINCH1940s weekend at Holt Station.PHOTO: COLIN FINCH (Image: Archant)

North Norfolk News: Holt Station in 2013.Photo: COLIN FINCHHolt Station in 2013.Photo: COLIN FINCH (Image: Archant)