The Ashton, Stalybridge & Liverpool Junction Railway Company was formed in 1844.
The line from Miles Platting (Manchester) to to Ashton-under-Lyne opened on 13 July 1846. By early October, the line had been extended through to Stalybridge and would later link to the Huddersfield & Manchester Railway in August 1849 to provide a new route through to Yorkshire.
The company was acquired by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company on 9 July 1847.