It is the terminus of the South Fylde Line, around 12 miles (19 km) west of Kirkham and Wesham by rail, though all services run through from Preston.

The station was originally called Waterloo Road when it opened in 1903, at the junction with a newly built express Marton Line direct from Kirkham.

The station continued to handle through trains from Manchester, Liverpool and London until 1970, when these were all diverted to Blackpool North at the other end of town.

[5] After the line was singled north of St Anne's-on-the-Sea and the box was abolished, all trains used the former northbound platform and continue to do so to the present day.

The substantial main buildings (booking office and waiting rooms) that formerly existed at street level were demolished in 1985.