The Warrington and Altrincham Junction Railway (W&AJR) built its railway line from Warrington Arpley via Latchford, Cheshire and Lymm to Skelton Junction near Altrincham during 1852–53 and passenger train services commenced on 1 November 1853.

There were six intermediate stations provided along the line's length including that at Heatley, in Cheshire, which was opened on 1 November 1853.

The main LNWR train service through Dunham Massey railway station was from Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington Arpley to Broadheath, where trains joined the Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway and continued via Sale to Manchester London Road.

In July 1922 the LNWR operated fifteen passenger trains in each direction on weekdays, eleven serving the full length of the line from Liverpool to Manchester and return.

The LMSR was nationalised on 1 January 1948 and operations on the line were vested in British Railways London Midland Region (LMR).