This became a double viaduct when the Dore and Chinley line was built in 1894, with a north curve forming a triangular junction just over a mile to the east.

Congestion soon became a problem on the section west of Chinley and so the Midland quickly sought parliamentary approval to add additional capacity, with the enabling act passed in 1900 and the contract for a replacement station let shortly afterwards.

By 1904, Chinley had become an important junction between Manchester, London St Pancras and Sheffield, with five through platforms and one east-facing bay, with four main tracks passing through it.

This practice became somewhat less prevalent after the 1923 Grouping when the London, Midland and Scottish Railway took over but, in the 1930s, some 40 eastbound and 38 westbound trains either called or started/terminated at the station each weekday.

The 1902 line through Heaton Mersey to Manchester Central and the link via Romiley to Stockport Tiviot Dale would also close; all trains henceforth ran to Piccadilly via New Mills and Marple instead.

[5] There is a waiting shelter on the platform, along with timetable information posters, CIS displays, ticket vending machine, bench seating and a customer help point.

[8] Additionally, East Midlands Railway operate a limited number of express trains that stop at Chinley in the morning and early evening, giving the station through links to and from Liverpool Lime Street and Nottingham.