With participants travelling from far and wide and Buxted to Isfield, Simon Mortimer had thoughtfully arranged a follow on visit as we were in the area. After a reasonably fine day (but with serious flooding in much of the rest of the country), the rain and wind had moved south by the time we reached the rather exposed site of this 7¼" gauge long railway at about 15.45. Most 'normals' were on their way home due to the deteriorating weather, but Simon had made it clear to the operator that we would attend even if there was a tempest or a monsoon and the railway was still open, after all day running as booked. It is an impressive operation, modern buildings include a shop, café and model railway display area with other attractions, as well as the non-public areas with engine and carriage sheds - quite a complex of tracks..

Our party of 17 boarded a train hauled by GWR 2-8-0 No3802, a heavy freight design well suited to the six or seven coach loads that they haul here. We were given two circuits of the line starting in the usual P1. Then, after traversing the half-mile circuit, part of which runs by the main line out of Eastbourne and on which trains were seen as we passed, we were signalled in to the very long loop line through the rarely used P2 which we passed non-stop, arriving back in P1 following a second circuit. P2 is often occupied by a demonstration freight train and the regular line driver said he had rarely done it himself.

We picked up two public passengers and some young ladies from the staff who considered that a ride at the end of the day's work would be fun. A further normal ride then took place, the rain fortunately abating for this. The railway staff then kindly allowed four of us at a time to look in the shed, where we were able to view the splendid selection of motive power used, mainly scale models of main line
steam locos. Refreshments were purchased and we were then invited to ride a further circuit, the last train of the day, a little earlier than the booked 16.45, which most of the group did, while a few took the opportunity of taking photos before the stock was put away. Our thanks to the railway for making us so welcome and taking us round in conditions where many would have called it a day.