Celebrations for the 180th Anniversary of the Railway Coming to Guildford

Published on: 7 Apr, 2025
Updated on: 7 Apr, 2025

Free Exhibition and Guided Walk, May 2 to 4

Journey back in time at Guildford railway station to see a free exhibition of vintage photos and artefacts celebrating the 180th anniversary of railway coming to the town.

The exhibition is from Friday to Sunday, May 2 to 4, 10am to 4pm, in a shop unit in front of the station by the taxi rank – look for the signboard.

There will be a timeline featuring scores of vintage photographs of the station and trains as far back as Victorian times, the classic era of steam trains, well remembered electric trains of yesterday, through to recent times.

The images have been selected by retired railwayman and railway historian Geoff Burch and local historian David Rose.

There will also be a screen with a video loop of images, as well as hearing some classic sound recordings of steam trains in and around Guildford.

Also at the exhibition will be the control unit from a 4-sub electric train – the type that was once commonly found on the Southern Region of British Railways. You will even be able have a go at the controls, known as a ‘dead man’s handle’.

Geoff and some of his former railway colleagues will be on hand over the days of the exhibition and will be pleased chat to visitors about ‘the good old days’ working on the railway.

On Sunday, May 4, from 10am noon, Geoff and David will lead a free guided walk. David says: “We will take our walkers on a trip back in time by visiting the platforms on the station and on to today’s Farnham Road multi-storey car park where the engine shed was. We’ll then walk to Yorky’s Bridge, a great spot in years gone by (and now) to watch trains.

“We will be showing lots of vintage photos of the station and trains of all kinds taken from the exact spots you will be standing on along the route!

“To join on our free walk we need to know numbers of people who want to come, as the station is of course in use with passengers, so booking is essential. To book please email me at davidrosemedia@gmail.com ”

The Guildford 180 event is being hosted by the volunteer-led Friends of Guildford Railway Station group, with much assistance by Sara Grisewood, North Downs Line Officer of the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership CIC.

Thanks also go to Network Rail, South Western Railway and Great Western Railway for their support.

For any further details, questions and so on, email David Rose at davidrosemedia@gmail.com

2025 is not only important for the railway coming to Guildford on May 5, 1845, it is also the UK’s Railway 200 celebrations with many events up and down the country.

Railway 200 is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, recognised as the start of the modern railway as we know it today.