the leicester and swannington railway was originally built to carry coal and there was little provision for any passenger traffic. when the railway opened at long lane, now coalville, in 1833 passenger business had to be carried out at the "railway hotel" adjacent to the level crossing. the first proper coalville station was opened in 1848 after the line had been taken over by the midland railway. this in turn was rebuilt in 1894, being renamed coalville town in 1924 to distinguish it from on the rival charnwood forest railway. british railways closed coalville town on 7 september 1964 when passenger services were ended on the line. the line remains open for freight only. coalville town was the most important station between leicester and burton-on-trent and was built to fuller dimensions to reflect this.