The station was opened on 1 May 1903 as part of the
Great Eastern Railway's (GER)
Woodford to
Ilford "loop" or branch line (the
Fairlop Loop). This line, designed to stimulate suburban growth, had a chequered career. As a consequence of the
Railways Act 1921, the GER was merged with other railway companies in 1923 to become part of the
London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). As part of the 1935 – 1940
New Works Programme of the
London Passenger Transport Board, the majority of the loop was to be transferred to form the eastern extensions of the Central line. Although work commenced in 1938, it was suspended on the outbreak of the
Second World War in 1939 and work only recommenced in 1946. Steam train services serving Fairlop were suspended on 29 November 1947 and electrified Central line passenger services, to Central London via
Gants Hill, finally commenced on 31 May 1948. The line from
Newbury Park to
Hainault through Fairlop had been electrified for empty train movements to the new depot at Hainault from 14 December 1947. Few alterations took place during this transfer, and the station remains a fine example of an
Edwardian railway station including canopies that still bear the GER symbol in the bracketry. The station has toilet facilities, a car park, and a waiting room on both westbound and eastbound platforms. ==Connections==