The line was built by the Great Western Railway.
In its early days the line carried passengers and freight.
The growth in the number of motor cars and buses led to reducing passenger traffic in the 1920s and passenger services ceased on the line in 1930.
Freight traffic continued to run until passenger services were restored in 1941, as villages such as Yealmpton were then being used as dormitory areas by the people of Plymouth following the severe air raids on the city.
The station at Yealmpton was demolished and housing in Riverside Walk now stands on the site.