The Balham Hill and East Croydon line was constructed by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) as a short-cut on the Brighton Main Line to London Victoria, avoiding Crystal Palace and Norwood Junction.

[7] In 1912, the lines were electrified via Norwood Junction to provide access for the carriage sheds and repair depot for the LB&SCR railway electrification scheme.

Some additional fast services from London Victoria and East Croydon occasionally stop at platforms 3 & 4 during events at Selhurst Park, or engineering works.

Within the main office building is located Selhurst traincrew depot, where many drivers and conductors are based.

This usually occurs at 5am when 2 trains are timetabled to stop, as well as special events happening at Crystal Palace Football Ground 10 minutes away.

Platform 4 is used for non-stopping Brighton Main Line trains bound for London Victoria to pass through.

It is blocked off by a barricade in the subway that connects Platform 1 and 2 and is opened once again when there are special events or when a train is timetabled to stop.