Originally located on the Midland Railway's Ambergate to Pye Bridge Line, the station opened on 1 May 1875 as Butterley, being renamed Butterley for Ripley and Swanwick on 29 July 1935.

[1] It closed to passengers on 16 June 1947,[1] but remained open for goods traffic until 7 November 1964.

[citation needed] British Railways demolished the original station buildings and signal box.

Swanwick Junction railway station is a short walk or train ride away to the east.

Hammersmith railway station is a shorter distance to the west over Butterley Reservoir by train.