Our 55 participants, some on their first visit to this delightful railway, who had travelled from far and wide and Buxted, met in Isfield station buffet (P1) for a briefing by our organiser Simon Mortimer and Lavender Line volunteers. It was remarkable how young some of them were (like Policeman and Doctors nowadays). During the briefing we were allocated into two groups, 'A' or 'B'. Quite a few participants had come by train to Uckfield but sadly the line south through Isfield to Lewes closed 24 Feb 1969 (a bridge was allegedly unsafe), rail replacement bus services were provided until 4 May 1969 and their successors continue to run.

Everyone then boarded the green BR Class 205 'Thumper' DEMU 1133 (60151+60832) at the north end of P1. Our first ride was north on the former Up line to the extremity of the Old Up Siding as it is now referred to, a continuation of the former Up line from British Rail double track days. At its end a wagon is used as a stop bock which we reached. Our train then reversed and headed back towards the station reaching midway along the Station Dock (adjacent to the north end of P1) to clear the points for the East Shed Road. After re-reversing, the tour traversed that line into the shed right up to the far doors (right hand road on arrival). It continues through these doors outside the north end of the shed where Class 205 vehicle 60832 & Drewry loco ARMY 830 were stabled. These two out of use vehicles were in exactly the same location as my last (2015) visit so presumably have not moved for at least four years.

Our train retraced its tracks via the Station Dock to the Old Up Siding to clear the trailing crossover with the Down line. We then used this crossover and headed along the former Down line towards P2 but took the facing crossover (right) back into the north end of Up P1 to detrain. The unit then headed empty back to the East Shed Road and into the shed, stabling on track that everyone had now covered.

Participants split into the two groups and, after shunting, 'Laboratory 20', No999507, the Wickham track recording car, arrived into the Station Dock by the small ventilated van permanently stabled on the blocks, immobilised by various shore supplies. Group 'A' boarded this and traversed the left hand 'West Shed Road' into the shed to just short of the end (no doors) where a wagon was located. They then reversed back to the station dock for Group 'B' to repeat this. A third run was made for those who had been doing Riley's Miniature Railway on P2, including the organiser, living the life of Riley!

Since our arrival in the morning BR Class 09 D4113 (09025) had been stabled at the P1 south buffer stops, north of the level crossing on … Station Road (there's a surprise). It was coupled to a 4-wheel tank wagon, a Toad brake van and Ruston ex-Army loco No422 'VALIANT'. After the Wickham had completed its manoeuvres and had been shut down in the dock, Group 'A' boarded the Toad brake van for another ride up to the Old Up Siding. With the Ruston leading we crossed to the former Down line before returning back across to the Old Up Siding heading as far a possible again along this siding. Return was direct, along the former Up line, with the Class 09 reaching the buffer stops at the south end of P1. Group 'B' then replaced Group 'A' in the Toad, but to save time the move was performed the other way round with the Ruston leading directly along the former Up line to the Old Up Siding and the Class 09 returning to the station by way of the two crossovers and the former Down line.

'VALIANT' was then detached from the Toad and stabled in the station dock. Former ICI Hibberd No15 then replaced the Ruston on the 'Toad' and the two groups repeated the previous move (for haulage).

No15 then went in the dock and was shut down and replaced by former Army Andrew Barclay loco No221. For us to cover as much track as possible in the Isfield station area, the railway had stabled much of its stock at the north end of the line at Worth Halt. With No221 leading, Group 'A' left P1 and crossed to the Down line to run as far north as possible along the single track public running line; this was just short of Worth Halt where stabled stock was encountered. The Class 09 lead back to P1 for Group 'B' to repeat this while Group 'A' took advantage of the lunch provided in the buffet - included in the fare. Group 'B', of course, enjoyed their lunch before or after their trip to the end of the line and back. All day, unlimited hot drinks were freely available and the buffet staff worked very hard for us.

Throughout our visit we had the opportunity to ride on the 5" gauge Riley's Miniature Railway, which runs along the back of P2. Nearly all the track was done - including a recent north end extension - with some member's knees even squeezing into the ultra-low shed [well, the track was kneeded ...]! Not only people, but coaches, ventured along sidings and shed roads they had never ventured along before and this certainly gave the operators a better appreciation of route availability; clearances were firmly established. This raised a good amount in donations from participants for Evelina Children's Hospital.

While lunch was being taken in the buffet, the two coaches which are normally stabled in the south end of P1 were returned to their normal location from P2. Up to then the blue Class 205 DEMU 1118 (60117+60828) had been stabled at the south end of P2 during our visit. After lunch everyone boarded 1118. Unfortunately there were issues with the 'Thumper' - excess condensation in the generator made the risk of a flashover on starting too great, so it was not able to move under its own power.

The Class 09 was soon coupled to the north end involving locating and fixing high level brake pipes and hauled us north out of P2 on the former Down line as far north as possible towards Worth Halt. After reversal D4113 propelled back south to clear the trailing crossover adjacent to the shed before hauling us north along the Old Up Siding to the end.

The Class 09 then propelled the unit back to P2 south end. About 15.00 most then left with trains to catch or another fixture to go to. However, those who stayed and could wait while the stock at Worth Halt was cleared, enjoyed a full line run to the buffers just beyond the halt at the end of the day. The total Class 09 haulage was then 5m 75ch!

We would like to thank Simon Mortimer for organising the day and, of course, the very enthusiastic Lavender Line volunteers who were keen to make our visit a big success - and did. They kindly gave up their time on a day when the line would normally be closed; at least two were in the previous day as well preparing the stock, one volunteer seemed to cover as much distance on foot as we did by rail!!

PS: Extension north requires a new bridge over the River Uck (an expensive but not impossible job and studies have been carried out). Extension south is unlikely due to Station Road level crossing there.