It was opened in 1856 by the Midland Railway on its Ripley branch from Little Eaton Junction, approximately 3 miles north of Derby.

[2] The new station, to the south of Nottingham Road and in a deep cutting, was double tracked with two platforms provided with matching single storey buildings.

In the Grouping of all lines (into four main companies) in 1923 the station became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway .

The station closed to passengers in 1930, though it continued with a very lively goods trade for the town's shops and businesses.

The station buildings were finally demolished around 1985 and part of the site was occupied by a builders merchant's warehouse.