Initial services were to , and via . Services to Watford began on 1 September 1866. Cheap fares for the working class were available from the outset. A goods station was situated next to the passenger station opening to traffic on 18 May 1868. It was built on a deck and a hydraulic lift was provided to move wagons down to warehouses below. Because of this, the station only used of land, which was convenient owing to the high price of land in the City.