Hudson envisaged Scarborough (the "Brighton of the North") as a major resort and for many years railway excursion traffic used the line which opened on 5 July 1845.

[6][7] The signal box, located west of the crossing on the down side of the line, was bought into service in 1873, and unusually the gable end of the signal box was at a 90-degree angle to the running lines.

With the introduction of bus services that served the centre of the local villages, passenger numbers declined and the local all stations train service was withdrawn from Knapton and other stations along the York to Scarborough line on 22 September 1930.

The withdrawal of these slow stopping services released capacity on the line allowing more holiday and excursion trains to run to Scarborough and other Yorkshire Coast resorts.

[10] Heslerton, like many other minor stations along the route, retained its goods facilities.