As might be imagined, there are a number of exiting new projects that are presently under way, or in many cases already completed, these include the substantial rerouting of the existing line together with the replacement of the rail itself with a much heavier section more suited to our heavy locomotives. The very substantial extension of the railway Northwards, which takes the line out of the garden centre itself through heavy security gates, with the white railway gate bearing the traditional red disc.

The new line then runs up an almost dead straight to the start of the 14 foot deep cutting around the back of a storage area & deep into the hillside before returning through the fenced off area of the “overflow car park” by another straight at the end of which & just prior to the internal access road crossing is the new Codmore Hill Halt. From the crossing the line curves slightly to the right to swoop through the boundary fence to rejoin the existing line in the area of the Codmore Hill Crossing. At some point in the future we hope to build a tunnel on the stretch of the line immediately north of the overflow car park.

Other projects recently completed are the total renovation of what was a derelict garden centre building into a fully operational 4 road carriage shed. Work is now complete on the all new Stopham Road Station “train shed” & following this construction will begin on the adjacent Waiting Room & Ticket Office. Following the completion of this building later in the year, our efforts will be concentrated on the construction of a new building to replace the existing Carriage Shed & with an application for planning permission lodged with Horsham District Council & the steel frame already on site, we are hopeful that work will get underway over the pre Christmas & New Year periods.

As will be understood all of these works have already and will continue to cost a very great deal of money, for example the extension cost over £19,000, add to that the new rail which has been installed throughout & the associated construction materials which have cost more than £10,000 and it will be understood that these major projects alone have cost more than £30,000 EXCLUDING LABOUR (which is provided free by our members). As we do not have a “fairy godmother” all of these costs are entirely met from the fares of our passengers & the annual subscriptions of the members of the society. So if you, or your Company or organisation are interested in helping us achieve our aims by means of sponsorship we would be most grateful and would be pleased to display your logo as appropriate, for further details of how you can help us please contact our Honorary Secretary – Chris English on 07711 717470 Email chris@cjenglish.demon.co.uk

As any visitor to the line will quickly appreciate, our scale steam locomotives work very hard pulling the often full to capacity trains (but we are never too busy that passengers have to wait for very long) and as all the locomotives are privately owned, there is some concern among the owners of these valuable pieces of engineering. With this in mind an order was placed with the Exmoor Steam Railway for a brand new steam locomotive, which arrived in July 2004 in time for a celebrity naming as Pulborough during our annual Steam Spectacular, this locomotive is of a classic “Narrow Gauge” design and is already proving to be a valued addition to our fleet. This locomotive is jointly owned by the Society (52%) & individual members who purchased shares.

If the prospect of helping us achieve these tasks excites you, why not join our merry band of "enthusiastic railway people" by becoming a member of the South Downs Light Railway Society, membership costs very little and you will assured of a very warm welcome.