The line was initially operated by the Ambergate, Nottingham, Boston and Eastern Junction Railway from 15 July 1850, taken over by the GNR in 1852.

[3][4] The line also closed for some six weeks in the summer of 2013, as part of a large-scale improvement to Nottinghamshire's rail network.

[6] The branch to Cotgrave Colliery left the Grantham line at the east end of the viaduct over the River Trent and headed south for about 2 miles (3.2 km).

Most of the line was on a bank about 21 feet (6.4 m) high, formed of about 300,000 cubic yards (230,000 m3) of fill from a borrow pit alongside the main road.

There is an hourly service in each direction between Liverpool Lime Street and Norwich, generally calling only at Nottingham and Grantham, and an hourly service in each direction between Nottingham and Skegness, via Grantham, calling at most stations along the route.