Tourist railway attractions within Sussex are not always easy to locate, so we will be showcasing those that were operating in 2018 and are likely to open again when the 2019 tourist season begins again at Easter 2019.

Most of these will not be standard-gauge railways, but miniature railways that carry passengers as part of a permanent tourist attraction.

Probably the best known is the one in the grounds of the Bentley Estate near Halland. It was originally built by Engineering Section members of the Uckfield Model Railway Club in the 1980's using multi-gauge track. In recent years, the BentleyRail part of the club was split off and formed their own operation. Track is no longer multi-gauge, but standaard 7.25" gauge, which has been extended considerably, and now has a run of about a mile at ground-level. It is a far cry from the original 3-laps round a circular track adjacent to a childrens play area in the grounds of Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum (since closed until further notice).

A much smaller railway is the one based at Goldsmiths Leisure Centre in Crowborough. Operated by Crowborough Locomotive Society, it has very restricted hours of opening, so do check their website for details before travelling. This is a raised level track, unlike the one at Bentleyrail. Their original circle of track at the front of the site is currently being extended, but how far it will eventually go, I'm not sure. Probably worth stopping for a look if you happen to be passing on a Saturday or Bank Holiday, once they reopen on Good Friday 2019.

Fancy a pub meal and a ride on a miniature railway? Then head over to Beech Hurst Park, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, where you can not only enjoy the railway, but also get a reasonable meal at the Harvester Restaurant. For the 2019 season, the railway reopens on 13th April from 1400 - 1700. Bear these times in mind if you are going into the Harvester Restaurant as the adjoining car park currently has a maximum 4-hour time limit.

Miniature passenger carrying railways can sometimes be found in part of a Garden Centre. One such railway is the South Downs Railway in Pulborough Garden Centre, Stopham Road, Pulborough, RH20 1DS. This railway only started in 2000 and usually runs from March to September at weekends and Bank Holidays as well as Wednesdays during school holidays.