The line originally opened for passenger traffic on 1 March 1848. The original stations between Louth and Grimsby were Ludborough, North Thoresby, Holton-le-Clay with Tetney and Waltham for Humberstone. The line became known as The East Lincolnshire line and was the first section of the railway operated by the Great Northern Railway. In 1923 the Great Northern Railway became part of the London Northern Eastern Railway (LNER). During 1924 most of the Grimsby fish trains were routed on the East Lincolnshire line when it was realised that the line was less congested and the fish could arrive more quickly at its final destination. Passenger services closed by 1970 with the line then used for goods services for another 10 years. By December 1980, the track was lifted, buildings demolished and the line was abandoned.