The train service was withdrawn on 6 October 1975,[1] but reinstated, and the station renamed Heysham Sea Terminal on 11 May 1987,[1] to provide a rail connection with the daily sailing to Douglas run by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

As constructed, the station had three platforms, two signal boxes and an extensive goods depot and associated sidings to service the port complex (which dates from 1904).

It handled a range of freight for export including livestock, parcels and fuel oil from a distribution terminal operated by Shell.

A frequent passenger service was provided by the Midland Railway for its work force at the port and the regular ferry sailings to Scotland, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland.

Four years after opening, the MR used the line as a test track for a pioneering system of electrification, utilising a trio of purpose-built 3-car electric multiple units (EMUs) powered by an overhead catenary carrying alternating current at 6600 V, 25 Hz.

Services ran to and from Leeds and through carriages were provided for St Pancras passengers in summer until the onset of World War II.

The remaining line was operated under "One Train Working" regulations, with the box acting as a ground frame for controlling the points to the sidings.

[5][6] After the work was completed, all that remained was the single line from Morecambe running into the one active platform and a private siding connection laid in the early 1970s into Heysham power station.

The branch handles occasional freight trains operated by Direct Rail Services from the reprocessing plant at Sellafield to Heysham nuclear power station.

The facilities at the station are basic: it is unstaffed and a single waiting shelter is provided but there is a customer information screen and PA. All tickets must be purchased in advance or on board the train.

[7] Although the station is publicly accessible, it can be reached only by travelling along the busy main road into the port complex (either by car or on foot) from Heysham village, which is more than 1 mile (2 km) away.