Surrey has no large standard gauge heritage railway of its own. The big steam lines sit just over the county border, while Surrey itself offers miniature steam and some well-run model railway days. Here is how to plan a train day, with the dates that matter.
Miniature steam in Surrey
Mizens Railway, Woking
Run by the Woking Miniature Railway Society, Mizens is a 7¼-inch gauge line on a 10-acre site near Woking. The longer run is nearly a mile, and a Highland Line route is used when conditions permit. Several steam engines are in service. It is named for its original site at Mizens Farm, where McLaren's headquarters now stands, and moved to its present home in 2000, with an official opening in May 2002 (BGLR directory).
The season starts on Sunday 3 May, then it runs every Sunday from 2pm to 5pm until the end of September. It is closed on Sunday 19 July. There are Thursday open days on 13, 20 and 27 August, 1pm to 4pm, and a cream tea charity fundraiser on Sunday 12 July (society calendar). It suits families with small children and anyone who simply likes the smell of coal smoke on a Sunday afternoon.
Model railways in Guildford
The Guildford Model Railway Exhibition, organised by Astolat Model Railway Club, takes place on Sunday 12 July, 10am to 5pm, at Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex, Parkway, Guildford GU1 1UP. Expect close to 50 layouts and trader stands. Tickets are £10 for adults and free for under-16s (Astolat Model Railway Club). Visit Surrey also lists it, which is a good sign the date is firm.
The Stoke Park Railway Gala Weekend, with Guildford Model Engineering Society, is listed for 4 July. Check the society's events page before going.
Steam just over the border
Bluebell Railway
The Bluebell runs from Sheffield Park through Horsted Keynes and Kingscote to East Grinstead, which sits on the Surrey border. Its ordinary-day timetable page showed adult fares of £27. Dates to note: the Model Railway Weekend on 27 and 28 June, the Diesel Gala from 4 to 6 September and Giants of Steam from 16 to 18 October (Bluebell Railway). Gala days cost more than ordinary days, so check the fare for your date.
Watercress Line
Hampshire's only standard gauge heritage railway runs about 10 miles between Alresford and Alton and is roughly 25 minutes' drive from Farnham, according to Surrey Live. The Autumn Steam Gala is on 2 to 4 October, with an Engineering Open Weekend at Ropley on 12 and 13 September. A free vintage bus runs on 6 September and 4 October, subject to drivers and buses (Watercress Line).
Hollycombe Steam in the Country
Hollycombe, at Iron Hill, Liphook, on the Hampshire and West Sussex border, is a steam-powered fairground and heritage site with a Quarry Railway. It reopens for the season on Sunday 26 April, with daily hours of 11.30am to 5pm (Hollycombe). The Fairground Extravaganza follows from 29 to 31 August.
Hampton and Kempton Waterworks Railway
Just over the border in outer south-west London, on Snakey Lane, Hanworth, this line is open from March to the end of October, 10.30am to 2.30pm, with three trains an hour and the last at 2.20. Its Railway Gala is on 30 and 31 May, 10am to 5pm: adults £9, children £4, free parking. Kempton Steam Museum, home to the world's largest triple-expansion engine, books separately (Hampton and Kempton Waterworks Railway). Check the hours before you set off.
Dates for the diary
26 April: Hollycombe reopens
3 May: Mizens season starts
30 and 31 May: Hampton and Kempton Railway Gala
27 and 28 June: Bluebell Model Railway Weekend
4 July: Stoke Park Gala, Guildford
12 July: Guildford Model Railway Exhibition
