It was built by the Leeds Northern Railway as part of their main line from  to  (via  and ) which opened on 2 June 1852, although the connection to the ECML at the Northallerton end was not opened for a further four years.
The Leeds Northern Railway constructed a line as part of their main route from  to  (via  and ) which opened on 2 June 1852, although the connection to the ECML at the Northallerton end was not completed for another four years.