Originally, the Midland Railway had hoped that the LNWR would join it in extending the line that they jointly leased between Ambergate and Rowsley.

The LNWR declined, then built this one from Buxton to meet its line to Manchester.

Later, the Midland built a line from Millers Dale, via Chapel, to Chinley, passing 183 feet beneath it in Dove Holes Tunnel.

There are no permanent buildings other than waiting shelters on each platform; train running details are provided by telephone and timetable poster boards.

[1] In 1957, the steep gradient north of here down towards Chapel-en-le-Frith was the scene of a serious accident, in which the driver of a runaway freight train, John Axon, remained at his post and died when it ran into the back of a preceding train.