[5][6] The WJR was part of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (later to become the Great Central) and opened on 1 April 1884, with other stations along the line.

Lower Ince Engine Shed stood north west of the station.

[8] The service patterns in 1895, 1947 and 1962 are fully documented in the authoritative Disused Stations website.

In addition, one "express" called at Glazebrook only and passed Lower Ince without stopping.

The line's main passenger traffic was workers travelling from the Wigan area to industrial plants in Cadishead and Partington and around the docks in Salford and Manchester; until the late 1970s the Lancashire United bus company operated a replacement bus service from Wigan to Partington.