Henry Howard, 13th Duke of Norfolk built the spur line from Dinting viaduct to Howard Town over his own land at his own expense. He then sold it to the Sheffield, Ashton-Under-Lyne and Manchester Railway for £15,244 10"s" 10"d" (). The station was opened on 9 June 1845 to goods traffic; the formal opening was on 30 June 1845 – it was attended by some of the SA&MR Directors, and passenger traffic began immediately afterward. The station buildings were constructed to the designs of John Grey Weightman and opened in 1847.