IT was full steam ahead at Haslemere Station on Saturday when not one but two historic locomotives stopped to celebrate its 160th anniversary.

Station staff and representatives of South Western Railway community rail partnership (CRP) donned Victorian costume to greet the B1 Mayflower and 44871 Black Five, which took turns to haul a day trip by The Steam Dreams Rail Company from Woking to Portsmouth.

Staff in bonnets and crinolines served up home-made lemonade and cakes and there was a special exhibition on the platform.

Launching the festivities, Haslemere Station’s most regular commuter Mike Pavia cut the ribbon and congratulated the staff on their “brilliantly run” operation over the 42 years he has been travelling.

Surrey Hills to South Downs CRP representative Ken Griffiths said: “Who would have thought, when the station opened in 1859, how huge rail travel would become?”

Haslemere Station manager Kim Blake said: “We were very excited to host this special event to celebrate the 160th anniversary.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their support over the years.”