Editing Surbiton (section)

==History==
{{See also|Thomas Pooley}}

[[File:Surbiton Railway Station.jpg|thumb|left|Grade-II listed Surbiton railway station. Art deco architecture]]
The present-day town came into existence after a plan to build a [[London and Southampton Railway|London-Southampton railway line]] through nearby [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]] was rejected by Kingston Council, who feared that it would be detrimental to the [[Coach (carriage)|coaching]] trade. This resulted in the line being routed further south, through a cutting in the hill south of Surbiton. [[Surbiton railway station]] opened in 1838, and was originally named ''Kingston-upon-Railway''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.steamindex.com/magrack/rse.htm |access-date=10 August 2007 |title=Railways South East |quote=A township developed on the hill near the railway. This was named New Kingston, New Town and Kingston-upon-Railway before becoming Surbiton }}</ref> It was only renamed ''Surbiton'' to distinguish it from the new [[Kingston railway station (London)|Kingston railway station]] on the [[Shepperton branch line]], which opened on 1 January 1869. The present station has an [[art deco]] façade.

As a result, Kingston is now on a branch line, whereas passengers from Surbiton (smaller in comparison) can reach [[London Waterloo station|London Waterloo]] in as little as 16 minutes<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/timetables|title=Train Timetable {{!}} South Western Railway|website=www.southwesternrailway.com|access-date=2019-06-18}}</ref> on a fast direct service; as well as places further afield, including [[Portsmouth]] and [[Southampton]].

Surbiton was once home to [[Surbiton Studios]] which were owned by [[Stoll Pictures]], before the company shifted its main production to [[Cricklewood Studios]].