It has been considered one of the finest modernist stations in Great Britain[3] and is a Grade II listed building.

In addition to local goods facilities, the main yard was also used as the loading point for the short lived Surbiton – Okehampton car carrier service that ran between 1960 and 1964.

The former goods yard site at Surbiton ultimately became the main station car park although some land was also subsequently developed into residential flats.

[citation needed] A major incident occurred on 4 July 1971 when a freight train derailed on the points at the London end of platforms 3 & 4.

Unaware of the incident, the driver continued through the station with the result that two derailed wagons eventually toppled over south of the platforms and obstructed the down fast through line.

The leading coach finally came to rest as it struck the road bridge that passes under the line south of the station.

[9] In October 2021, Network Rail commenced work to relieve congestion by adding a new deck and staircase to the footbridge at the London end of Platforms 3 and 4.