Hollywood heart throb Hugh Grant stunned visitors to Helston's Railway when he turned up at the attraction yesterday morning.
The actor, famed for his appearances in Four Weddings and a Funeral, which won him a Golden Globe, was among hundreds of people at the Prospidnick tourist attraction.
His arrival was posted on the railway's Facebook site which led to a "phenominal" reaction with more than 8,000 hits in one morning.
Richard Barnes, chairman of Helston Railway Preservation Company Ltd, said the actor's presence gave it fantastic media coverage and surprised staff.
He said: "We knew that a visit from Hugh Grant was a possibility because he'd met one of our members at an event the previous week and had asked if there were any heritage railways in the area, but we didn't really expect him to come.
"When he arrived at Prospidnick Station it was a while before anyone realised it was him, he came into the buffet first and the buffet girls always allow people the chance to settle down before they talk to them.
"Margaret and Pam who were on duty just noticed this rather good looking quiet man waiting to be served. Margaret said " I just thought oh – he looks really nice and then I realised oh my goodness it's Hugh Grant and my jaw dropped".
The station's general manager, Alan Burton, said: "When I told one of the ladies who was walking up the platform after him that she was about to have a train ride with Hugh Grant she nearly fell off the platform!"
When Mr Grant returned to the station 25 minutes later after having enjoyed his ride he went back to the buffet car and had a cream tea where he gave autographs and chatted with staff, who said he was charming, happy and kind.
The actor also signed the railway's planning permission petition to have new facilities built at the site.
The railway company said: "We feel really privileged that he came to see us and we really hope that he will come back some day to see us again he is definitely a star in all senses of the word. "
The railway, which has attracted 3,000 people this season, has a temporary platform at Prospidnick Bridge and has applied for planning permission for a new access track, sidings, a platform, a 100-space car park, amenity and picnic space to the north at Trevarno Farm.
