However, this temporary stations life cycle was short lived as a new permanent station opened on 4th March 1871. Under the ownership of the Great Central Railway, a large stone building acted as the main station building. The station was initially served by local trains to and from Sheffield Victoria and Doncaster, although it soon began to serve other trains from around the country.

Unfortunately, the station was closed on 5th September 1966 and demolished soon after. With Sheffield's train services now having shifted the majority of concentration to the Sheffield Midland station, a major new junction was installed which allowed Sheffield and Doncaster trains to be routed onto the Midland line to Sheffield Midland via 'Rotherham Masborough' station. As there was now only one station in town, 'Masborough' was removed from the name.

It was during the 1980's that people began to suggest Rotherham Masborough station was deterring the use of train services from the town centre, so in order to provide a better service for the people of Rotherham, a new single line link was constructed which would pass through the new planned station.

Official works began on the new station in July 1986, when the then Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor J.K.Skelton unveiled a commemorative plaque to remember the event by. Just under a year later, on 11th May 1987, the new 'Rotherham Central' railway station was opened to the public.

Interestingly, the Doncaster-bound platform was on the same site as the platform used at the temporary station back in 1871. The whole scheme, including both the station and the newly installed line, cost £2.4million and was funded by the P.T.E along with a contribution from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. Further to this, a grant which covered half of the cost of all works was obtained from the European Regional Development Fund.

Most recently, in October 2007 an announcement was made that Rotherham Central railyway station was to undergo a large redevelopment project with works to begin during 2009.