Train service in Coimbatore started with the opening of the railway station at Podanur in 1862 as a part of the Podanur–Madras line connecting the west coast with the rest of India.

[1][2] It was the third functional railway station within the boundaries of the present day Tamil Nadu.

[3][4] A branch line connecting Podanur with Mettupalayam became operational in February 1873.

[5] Until 1956, the Coimbatore Railway Division was functioning with Podanur as the headquarters before the headquarters was shifted to Olavakkode which became Palakkad railway division.

[4] The station became part of the newly formed Salem railway division in 2006.