‘I still can’t believe it’: Couple get engaged in romantic railway station proposal

A woman was left speechless after her partner got down on one knee in a surprise proposal at Denmark Hill railway station last week, with a little help from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).

Laura McKinley, 38, a glass blower, would always leave bronze caster Ian Stoney, 36, at the South London station.

The former work colleagues would take the train home together from the Royal College of Art every day, going their separate ways from Denmark Hill.

Now both living in Caterham, the couple celebrated their five year anniversary on Wednesday, which would see them return to the station for a romantic journey like no other.

Former east Dulwich resident Ms McKinley said: “Ian booked a taxi for me in the morning and wouldn’t tell me where I was going.

“He said he’d planned something.”

When she saw the taxi pulling up to Denmark Hill station Ms Mckinley “thought nothing of it”, assuming they would be catching a train to their surprise date spot.

She said: “Then he told me to tell the station staff I was there and they would tell me where to go.”

With the help of GTR, Mr Stoney had secretly organised for Christopher Clayton, now retired from GTR, to make the Tannoy announcement as he did every day on the couple’s commute.

Ms McKinley said: “An announcement came up saying ‘Laura go to platform four’ – I didn’t realise Christopher had retired so I wasn’t suspicious !”

At platform four, by the bridge where the couple shared their first kiss, Mr Stoney was waiting for Ms McKinley. He dropped to one knee and proposed. 

Ms McKinley instantly said yes and commuters and staff watching nearby were overwhelmed with joy.

Ms McKinley said: “I still can’t believe it happened – I don’t even remember what happened. But I saw a picture of him down on one knee !”

But that wasn’t the end of Mr Stoney’s plan, as he whisked his new fiance off for a day in South London, revisiting all of the couples first dates.

Ms McKinley said: “For our first date we had been to see the Joker at Clapham Picturehouse – it just so happened the Joker 2 just came out so we went to see that.

“The we went to a pub we always used to visit to play board games and things and then to a michelin star restaurant in Tooley street where he took me for a birthday present  two years ago.”

Mr Stoney had kept his plans well under wraps, telling only close family and friends.

Ms McKinley said: “I saw my best friend the night before and there was no hint of it! I don’t know how they all kept it a secret so well.

“Everyone is so happy for us, they’ve always said how well suited we are.”

The couple are hoping for a wedding in the Lake District, where Mr Stoney grew up, and will be married by his mother who is a celebrant.

Pictured top: Ian Stoney proposes to Laura McKinley at Denmark Hill station (Picture: GTR)