Additionally there were plans for a branch from Market Drayton to Newcastle-under-Lyme, but these were abandoned due to opposition from the LNWR and North Staffordshire Railway.
The line was doubled during 1866–67, to match the Wellington and Drayton Railway which opened in October 1867, thus providing a link for the GWR between the Midlands and the Northwest.
Traffic along the route was surprisingly very high and so were the passenger numbers even during the railmotor years with the halts along the line at Coole Pilate, Coxbank, Little Drayton, Wollerton, Ellerdine, Rowton and Longdon.
The stations on the line were Crudgington, Peplow, Hodnet, Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Adderley and Audlem.
Traffic continued to pass through Market Drayton until 1967 when the line from Wellington to Nantwich ceased operation and the track was dismantled in 1970.
The society have not been able to get backing from local councils due to the safety concerns of reopening a level crossing near Audlem.