This station is on the North Clyde Line, between Kilpatrick and Dumbarton East, 12 miles 70 chains (20.7 km) from Glasgow Queen Street measured via Maryhill.

The station was opened on 15 July 1850 by the Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway, and resited a few years later in 1858.

[3][2] On 8 September 1933, a passenger train collided with wagons on the line due to a signalman's error.

[6][7] The station is unstaffed, and only comprises basic shelters, benches, help points, a payphone and a few cycle stands.

[10] The station was made famous by a 1960 painting by the renowned railway artist, the late Terence Cuneo, who depicted a then new Blue train (Class 303) heading westbound into Bowling, passing a steam engine, which the 303 had replaced, in a siding.