The station was opened as "Walkden" in 1875 by the London and North Western Railway on its new line from Roe Green Junction to Bolton Great Moor Street.
The station had two platforms reached by four ramps with waiting rooms and canopy on each, and offices on the north side.
[4] The railway company proposed naming the station "Walkden Stocks" but was overruled by the Local Board.
[5] Regular passenger services ceased in 1954 but the line continued to be used for freight traffic for some further time.
The station was about one mile north of Roe Green and close by there were sidings and a connection to the Bridgewater Estates colliery railway at Barrack's Tramway Junction.