There was initially no direct connection to the rival South Eastern Railway's existing station.

The line was electrified in 1939 (750 V DC third rail) to Maidstone East by the Southern Railway prior to World War Two.

Electrification between Maidstone East and Ashford was completed in 1961 under the BR 1955 Modernisation Plan.

Thameslink utilises the route between Swanley and Otford on their London Blackfriars to Sevenoaks metro services via the Catford Loop and Elephant and Castle with two trains per hour running.

Additional services through London will be introduced as part of the Thameslink Programme between Cambridge and Maidstone East.