 | This article needs more citations .(September 2025) |
| South Downs Light Railway | |
|---|---|
 The Thames Clyde Express On the South Downs Miniature Railway |
The South Downs Light Railway is a 10+1⁄4 in (260 mm) gauge railway at Pulborough in West Sussex, England. [1] The line opened in 2000, after the line was regauged to 10+1⁄4 in (260 mm) from 7+1⁄4 in (184 mm), the gauge of the previous line that operated in the grounds of the garden centre before the South Downs Light Railway arrived. The line operates in the grounds of the Pulborough Garden Centre, operating most weekends between March and September throughout the year.
Contents
One of their two Exmoor Steam Locomotives will be in-charge of the service. Their two Exmoors are named ‘Pulborough’ and ‘Peggy’; these are the only Locomotives on the line, as it features a wide variety and collection of scaled-down miniature and narrow gauge engines.
The railway has their own engine shed, with a workshop at the back of it. [1] Outside the engine shed, there is a traverser to move the engines, and to the side of the shed is a turntable. There is also a covered drop-down pit so the engines can be inspected underneath. The old engine shed has now been converted to the railway's carriage shed, housing a large variety of operation stock, the carriage shed has had an additional extension to its eastern side to house more stock of the railway's collection.
The railway has two stations, Stopham Road Station, where people start their journey. The station has a canopy and the booking office. There is also Hardham Halt which is not regularly open, however is used during gala days and during Christmas as the North Pole.
2020 was the railway's 20th year of operating in its current location and they hoped to host a 20th Gala Weekend which would have hosted visiting engines plus special attractions. The railway announced that the gala weekend would happen in August, however it was cancelled by the COVID pandemic.
In 2025 the railway celebrated its 25th anniversary. Hosting a gala to celebrate, featuring all available Homefleet locos as long as visitors from the railways history, these being: A4 4498 "Sir Nigel Gresley", Atlantic ‘John Terrance’, Black 5 ‘Ayrshire Yeomary’ and a Class 35 Hymek. The Gala would run for 5 days throughout August with each day having a different theme. It would also feature a cavalcade of every Operational Engine and end with an impressive Lineup Shot.
The railway has developed a lot since they first opened including a extension, new tunnel, new engine shed, new workshop plus a new station (Hardham Halt), carriage shed expansion and much more!
