Uckfield Model Railway Club

In the early 1980's the Uckfield Model Railway Club operated its portable track in the grounds of the Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum at Halland, just south of Uckfield.

Work was started on a permanent ground level track at that time by a small team of people, caught in the photograph below during an early working party. It is interesting to note that two of the four are still regular attendants at the railway. The first part of the railway to be officially opened, in 1984, was the circuit next to Bentley Central Station. This was for all three engineering gauges, 7¼", 5" and 3½". However the 3½" circuit was not actually completed due to the difficulties of operating this gauge at ground level.

The infrastructure has gradually been improved over the intervening years, including the extension to Glyndebourne Wood. The railway now has a run of some 830 yards (758 metres).

This means that the passenger joining a train at Bentley Central Station (located near the childrens play area) is taken on a leisurely trip all the way to Glyndebourne Wood Station before returning, via a loop and tunnel, to Bentley Central. The ride takes approximately 6 minutes to travel the half mile circuit, at a cost of a small additional charge to the Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum's admission fee.

More Pictures

Carriage Sheds at Horsted Sidings	Bentley Central departure road
The approach to Bentley Central	Bentley Central Platform
The station approach!	The steaming bays
One of the original multi gauge turnouts	The level crossing into the "Railway Field"
Bentley Central Signal Box	Glyndebourne Wood Signal Box
Glyndebourne Wood Station	The tunnel exit