Steam Whitehead - Blitz Evacuation Day

Step back in time and experience history together as a family at our Blitz and Evacuation themed event at Whitehead Railway Museum.

This interactive event brings the story of wartime to life and gives visitors of all ages the chance to discover what it was like for children who were evacuated during the Second World War. Your journey begins on arrival, where each participant will receive a pre-prepared ID card, just like the identity tags worn by children evacuated from their Belfast homes during the Blitz.

After check-in, you’ll take a short train ride within our premises, helping recreate the experience of evacuees travelling by rail to safer places away from the cities.

In our education room, facilitated by NIWM, families can take part in a range of hands-on activities designed to make history engaging and memorable. Children can create their own evacuee luggage tags, try the “pack a suitcase” challenge to decide what they would take if they had to leave home, and listen to short oral history recordings sharing real memories from people who experienced evacuation during the war. Visitors will then explore a specially prepared railway carriage filled with photographs and evacuation documents that reveal how railways played a vital role in moving thousands of children to safety.

There will also be plenty to explore across the museum site. Visitors can write evacuee-style letters, enjoy creative take-home crafts and discover more historic rolling stock and handling collections throughout the museum.

Packed with interactive activities, fascinating stories and opportunities to explore the museum, this family-friendly event offers a fun and meaningful way to learn about the experiences of wartime children and the important role railways played during the Second World War.

Afterwards, why not treat yourself in our café?