[1] It opened on 6 June 1848, and Askern, 8 miles (13 km) from Knottingley, was one of the original stations.

The L&YR became part of the London Midland and Scottish Railway during the Grouping of 1923.

It had been reopened for limited service by 3 August 1980[3] but was subsequently last used in 1984[5] and the platforms removed.

Trains still pass the site as the line is still open for freight traffic, and since 23 May 2010, regular passenger trains operated by Grand Central pass through to and from London King's Cross.

Due to the building of two semi-detached properties and two blocks of flats being built next to the original foundations of the station the place for the potential rebuild would have to be moved to a more convenient space.