Blackpool North has regular services to Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton, Wigan, Preston, Blackburn, Leeds and York.

In addition, there was effectively, in all but name, a separate station at the east end of Queen Street, with open "excursion" platforms 7 to 16, used only in summer.

[5] This resulted in the semaphore signalling at the station being replaced by modern colour lights controlled from the WCML North Rail Operating Centre in Manchester and the station track and platform layout being altered, with the eight curved platforms reduced to six and on a straighter alignment than previously.

This was subsequently pushed back twice - first to March 2017 and then again to early 2018 (after contractors Balfour Beatty pulled out), so that the track remodelling and re-signalling work could be carried out at the same time as the wiring, reducing disruption to passengers (as only one period of closure would be required).

[7][8] The remodelling required the station to be completely closed for a significant period of time (up to 18 weeks according to Network Rail),[9] with additional weekend and evening blocks before and after.

[12] The station also has a 30-space car park,[11] and adjoining bus connections, which can also accommodate Plusbus ticket holders.

[21] Former local franchise holder First North Western ran services from Blackpool to London Euston, but these were soon discontinued.

However, in the December 2014 timetable change, Virgin reintroduced direct services to/from London Euston albeit only on weekdays and only one each way a day.

Virgin CrossCountry used to run up to eight services per day to Blackpool North from Portsmouth Harbour, Brighton and London Paddington.

Northern services to Leeds and York on weekdays were temporarily withdrawn prior to the start of electrification work in November 2017, but resumed in May 2019.

[28] After another long delay partially due to ongoing hotel works, a final round of testing commenced on 23 April 2024.