[6] It was originally called "Tuxford Exchange", being situated where the LD&ECR's main line from Chesterfield Market Place to Lincoln (later Lincoln Central) crossed over the GNR's main line from Kings Cross to Doncaster.

[19] On 16 November 1896, a substantial, 60 chains (1.2 km)[20] double-track, West-North connection ("chord") was opened joining the LD&ECR and the GNR, effectively creating a triangle,[21][22][23] with a station near each point, as shown on the 1947 map linked below.

The chord carried goods, but no regular passenger traffic, though it came to life at summer weekends up to 1964 with holiday trains and excursions from Nottinghamshire to the Yorkshire Coast which passed through without stopping.

It played a part in a minor railway "last", in that the final timetabled steam train south along the ECML from Retford was not a LNER Gresley A3 to Kings Cross, but Stanier Black 5 No.

Dukeries Junction was in the middle of nowhere without refreshment facilities or even road access, such waits may not have been an inviting prospect.

The low level lines remain heavily used, though they were progressively rationalised as wagonload freight traffic declined.

[30] The run-down was abruptly accelerated in 1980 when a freight train derailment at Clifton-on-Trent, west of Fledborough Viaduct, seriously damaged the track.

The buildings were more or less intact in 1972, but by 1977 had all been razed to the ground except the main erecting halls, which are still used today, albeit not for railway purposes.

[33][34][35] The engine shed[36] was originally expected to be the line's principal depot but it was soon realised that the main centre of activity would be at Langwith Junction.

The shed was the final home of the original LD&ECR Class D 0-6-4T "Big Tanks"[33][37][32] Upon closure, locomotives and jobs were transferred to Langwith Junction and a daily Dido train was provided to transport the staff concerned.

When the line was electrified the tracks were slewed to increase speeds and all trace of the low level station was erased.

The test track runs from Thoresby Colliery Junction to the site of the partially demolished High Marnham Power Station, passing the former station sites of Ollerton, Boughton, Tuxford Central and Dukeries Junction.