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.

The signal box, located west of the crossing on the down side of the line, was bought into service in 1873.

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.

During the 1950s large silos were built adjacent to the goods yard to handle barley for onward travel by rail.

[6][7] On 3 February 2009 a car was driven onto the level crossing which struck the rear end of a First TransPennine Express service from Liverpool Lime Street to Scarborough.