The Lavender Line Isfield Station

Lavender Line News

Feb 21st - Lavender Line at Brighton Modelworld

he Lavender line preservation society will be hosting a society stand at the Brighton model world on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February.We will have a display of the lavender line including the past, the present and the future which will show you how the lavender line went from a dilapidated site to a beautifully restored station....more info

Feb 10th - February at the Lavender line and half term specials

Throughout February at the Lavender line we will be running service trains every Sunday during the month, this will be an all diesel service which will most likely be hauled by our resident diesel ‘Valiant’ with the toad brake van or our Wickham railbus which allows you a fantastic 360 degree view....more info

January 30th - Work on new halt at Little Horsted continues

Over the past 6 weeks work has continued on the new halt at the end of the line. This very exciting project started back in December and has been in full swing ever since, with help from the warmer weather and dry days our dedicated P way gang has spent countless hours digging and building to ensure that everything goes according to plan...more info

January 25th - Locomotives winter cleaning

During the winter months two of our regular locomotives will be under going a winter deep clean ready for the 2012 season. ...more info

January 3rd - January at the Lavender line

We will be running an all diesel service throughout January with trains running every Sunday. This time of year can be a difficult time in which to enjoy the outdoors, with cold and dark days its hard to find the time to do anything so why not have a morning at the Lavender line, enjoy a full English breakfast in our Cinders buffet then take a leisurely train ride behind out resident diesel ‘Valiant ‘in the toad brake van. The toad hosts a warming coal stove which allows you to enjoy the enjoy the beautiful Sussex countryside in the warmth of the cosy brake van. ...more info

December 21st - Steam dates for 2012

We are pleased to announce our steam dates for the 2012 season. We will be running our resident steam engine 0-6-0ST Kitson ‘Austin 1’ for all steam days with the opportunity to see her running with both carriages and goods trains....more info

December 16th - Work on Little Horsted station begins!

Work on the new Little Horsted halt has began on Wednesday 14th December with a small group of dedicated volunteers including our very own chairman marking out and measuring the new area in which a halt style station at Little Horsted will be built. ...more info

December 10th - Back in Black!

Our very own 0-4-0 diesel ‘Planet’ has been undergoing a full cosmetic overhaul over the past 6 months by one of our Wednesday gang members....more info

December 2nd - New years day steam up and vehicle drive in:

We are pleased to announce our first special event of 2012 with our New years day steam up and vehicle drive in on Sunday 1st January....more info

November 29th - Santa specials 2011

There is still time to book your Santa special tickets for a very special trip to the Lavender line; this year promises to be another exciting Santa special season with preparations well underway for the arrival of Santa....more info

November 25th - Austin 1 passes steam test

Our resident steam engine ‘Austin 1’ passed its annual steam test on Thursday 24th November ready for the Santa season....more info

November 14th - Pipeline plans for station at Little Horsted

The Lavender Line preservation society has been discussing if building a new station at the railways current terminus at Little Horsted is a feasible option. At this current point in time the committee members are exploring ways in which we could build and sustain a station at Little Horsted. ...more info

November 4th - Steam crew cleaners wanted!

We are currently looking for any working volunteers who have a love for steam and would like the opportunity of learning the ropes and becoming a member of our steam crews. ...more info

November 4th - Riley’s railway

Riley’s railway is one of the latest additions to our station site attractions. Over the past 6 months our very own Chairman has been hard at work building this new 5 inch gauge railway on behalf of one of our newest members as a fundraising attraction on selected Sundays and bank holidays. ...more info

October 29th - Additional steam day on Sunday 6th November

We are pleased to announce we will be running and extra steam day on Sunday 6th November...more info

October 18th - The Wednesday Gang

If you have ever fancied working at a steam railway but you don’t have any free time at the weekends, the Wednesday gang could be your answer. Every Wednesday an ever growing gang of volunteers give up a spare few hours of their time to carry out odd jobs around the railway of which is continuingly improving the site for both members and the public ...more info

20th Anniversary and Transport Gala Triumph!

Over the weekends of 1st and 2nd, 8th and 9th October the Lavender line held its first gala event in almost 6 years. Saturday 1st October saw the gala kick off with a unique two train service running from both platforms 1 and 2. more info

September 27th - Lavender line AGM Saturday 22nd October 2011

The Lavender line’s AGM will be held at 16.30 on Saturday 22nd October in the Cinder buffet on Platform 1. We will be covering a range of subjects: more info

September 23rd - Anniversary and Transport Gala- Final Update

With only a week to go until the celebrations begin; final preparations are taking place at Isfield station to ensure everything runs smoothly for both weekends more info

September 21st - Santa specials 2011

Why not make this years visit to Santa extra special with a trip to the Lavender line, with unlimited train rides throughout the day, a fresh mince pie for adults and a present personally given by Santa for the children. The Lavender line’s Santa specials is a Christmas experience to remember more info

September 13th - Additional Goods train day Sunday 25th September

We are pleased to announce that due to popular demand we will be running an additional ‘Lewes goods pick up’ on Sunday 25th September. Our resident steam engine ‘Austin 1’ will be in charge of the goods train throughout the day recreating a humble picture of a local goods service departing Isfield station. more info

9th September - Anniversary and Transport Gala Update

We are pleased to announce that the ticket prices for our 20th anniversary and transport gala on 1st 2nd and 8th 9th October are now available. ..more info

6th September - Footplate Tasters

We are pleased to announce new for 2011 our ‘Footplate tasters’. For a small fee of just £5.00 you can ride with the driver and fireman on the steam engine for one round trip to give you the feel and the experience of riding on a full size steam engine....more info

31st August - Goods train success

On Sunday 28th and Monday 29th August the Lavender line held its first Goods train days for a number of years. On both the Sunday and Monday ‘Austin 1’ was in steam running on the south end of the four piece goods train allowing visitors to enjoy a unique view of the Sussex countryside from our resident Toad brake van more info....

19th August - Anniversary and Transport Gala

1st, 2nd and 8th, 9th October - The Lavender line preservation society would like to invite you to celebrate 20 years of progress and success with 2 special gala weekends which will include the anticipated visit of the famous ‘Rocket replica’ more info...

18th August - Goods Trains Days

Sunday 28th - Monday 29th August -We are pleased to announce an additional special event for 2011. more info...

11th August - Toad brake van restoration

Two of our regular working members Dan and Roger have undertaken the lengthy task of cosmetic restoration of our resident Toad brake van which has seen a fair share of use since its last restoration period in 2003. This task involves stripping the rotten wood, replacing the missing running boards, a full service of the linkage and vacuum cylinders, replacing the waterproof felt on the roof and of course a new coat of paint... more info

August 5th - Track Refurbishment

Over the past year our very own membership secretary and permanent way manager Barry Monk has been over seeing one of the larger projects that has been taking place at Isfield. The wooden sleepers that form the foundations of the line from the old farm crossing to the new public crossing have not been replaced since David Milham owned the site 20 years ago....more info

July 26th - No steam haulage on Sunday 7th August

Due to our resident steam engine ‘Austin 1’ suffering with a failed steam brake it is with regret that there will be no steam haulage on Sunday 7th August. ...more info

July 14th - New Miniature Railway

For some time now the Lavender Line has considered installing a 5 inch gauge railway on the grass verge on platform 2...more info

July 12th - Station Refurbishment

Over the past few months it was agreed that more money should be spent refurbishing the station site itself ...more info

July 8th - Free entry on Footplate days

On many Saturdays throughout the year ‘Clive Groome’ runs his famous ‘Footplate Days and Ways’ courses at the Lavender Line. Although there is no public service on these days, the station site, buffet, gift shop and model railway are all open to the public.... more info

July 7th - Isfield Village Fete

Our next steam date will be hauled by our resident steam engine ‘Austin 1’ on Sunday 17th July which will co-inside with the village Fete opposite the railway...more info

June 27th

See Rocket at Isfield on 1st & 2nd, 8th & 9th October 2011 for our 20th Anniversary and Transport Gala weekend. Rocket will be in steam with its two coaches, other locomotives that live at Isfield will also be in operation and a show of Vintage Vehicles. Special fares apply.

June 27th

Extra Steam Service for July, Austin1 will be running the service train on Sunday 17th July, this is also the date of Isfield Village Fete. Other steam dates for July are Sunday 3rd, and Sunday 31st

June 26th

The guards roster for July is now posted on the members page.

May 29th 2011

The guards roster and the drivers roster for June are now posted on the members page.

May 14th 2011

As part of the Lavender Line's 20th anniversary celebrations, the famous replica locomotive "Rocket" will be visiting Isfield and will be in steam on 2nd and the 9th of October. More information about this and our other celebratory events will appear soon.

May 13th 2011

We have just been informed that The Sussex Air Ambulance Charity Drive will end at the Lavender Line on 17th August.

May 9th 2011

Congratulations to member Keith Burgess who passed out as a guard on Sunday 8th May