[2][3] Construction of the Selby to Goole line began in 1907 and it was decided that one of the intermediate stations would be placed at Barlow.

Although much of Selby to Goole line was dismantled, the track from Brayton junction to the munitions depot in Barlow remained opened.

The branch to the depot was later extended 0.5 miles (0.8 km) in October 1966 to provide connection to Drax Power Station when it was being built.

Before the site was purchased by the NER company, Barlow Common was used as an area for pasturing livestock.

[2] In the 1940s, the area beside the station began to be used as a railway refuse and ballast tip, however this ceased in 1983 after asbestos was discovered.