This was to "avoid confusion" with three other stations: Shirebrook South closed to regular passenger services in 1931, but excursions continued to call at least until 1957.

The double tracks branching off eastwards (i.e. to the right as viewed from the station) to the side of the signalbox joined the LD&ECR's one-time main line to Lincoln, next stop Warsop.

In 2013 the line gives access to UK Coal's Thoresby Colliery and to the High Marnham Test Track.

Finally, up to 1974 the next station north from Shirebrook on what is now the Robin Hood Line was not Langwith-Whaley Thorns but simply "Langwith".

On weekdays and Saturdays, the station is generally served by an hourly service northbound to Worksop and southbound to Nottingham via Mansfield Woodhouse.