The line between Guide Bridge and Heaton Norris Junction (north of ) was surveyed by the Manchester and Birmingham Railway in 1845 (shortly before it became part of the London and North Western Railway), and opened in 1849. A new station was opened by the LNWR in 1888 and the route was quadrupled in 1889. Before the Railways Act 1921, it was served by trains from Stockport to Ashton, Oldham, Rochdale and Stalybridge. A very limited passenger service ran to Manchester. Stalybridge could also be reached via and the Stalybridge Junction Railway. This route was opened in 1882 by the LNWR to avoid the congested junction at Guide Bridge, but closed to passengers in 1950.