The Y&NMR opened the first part of its route through the village (and on as far as Milford) on 29 May 1839, completing it the following year. On completion of a branch from there to Harrogate via Wetherby and Tadcaster by the Y&NM in 1848 a new station on a slightly different site gave it new importance and within two years it had become a calling point on the new East Coast Main Line from York to London with the opening of a line from Burton Salmon to Knottingley (trains then continuing via Askern and Doncaster).