It was built by the Sheffield and Midland Railway Companies' Committee in 1875, on the line between New Mills Central and Manchester London Road (now Piccadilly station).

It was used by the Midland railway's main line expresses from London St Pancras until 1880, when they began running via Stockport Tiviot Dale into Manchester Central.

The original station yard, with goods shed, is intact (though without rails) and is currently used by a timber merchant.

The station retains its ticket office, which is staffed on weekdays all day (06:30-21:00) and on Saturday until early afternoon (07:20-14:30).

All services that stop at Reddish North are operated by Northern Trains, using Class 150, 156 and 195 diesel multiple units.