It was promoted primarily as a mineral line in connection with the coal pits belonging to William Hulton west of his estate at Over Hulton and collieries belonging to the Fletchers at Atherton, and opened in 1828 for goods between Pendlebury Fold and Bolton.
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The first section opened on 1 August 1828 between Derby Street Bolton and William Hulton's collieries at Pendlebury Fold near Chequerbent.
In the early 19th century the mines were owned by William Hulton who was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1811 and in 1812 sentenced four men, including a 12 year old boy, to be executed for their part in a Luddite attack on a local mill.
As the owner of Hulton Park he derived income from the seven collieries working the coal measures under the park or nearby and in 1824 became chairman of the Bolton and Leigh Railway Company, which planned and built the first public railway in Lancashire.
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The line was connected to the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830 giving him and other local businessmen access to the Port of Liverpool.
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