The Mole Gap through the North Downs had been identified as a potential railway corridor as early as the early 1830s, but the line south from Leatherhead to Dorking was not opened until 1867. The Kingston Road station, which had been laid out as a terminus, was closed and two new adjacent stations (either side of the present Station Approach) were opened. The LBSCR station, which was closer to the town, was the only one connected to the line to Dorking. It was designed by C. H. Driver in fine gothic revival style and is the station that survives today. The LSWR built its station as a terminus, but its line was extended westwards to in 1885. The two railway companies were amalgamated in 1923, when the Southern Railway was formed.