The early life of the station was marred by some unfortunate accidents. On 25 July 1868, William Collins, a GNR cleaner, was run over by a guard's van and killed.[3] On 4 November 1868, John Boswell, aged 80, was wandering along the line near the station when he was killed by a down train.[4] On 23 May 1873, Thomas Robinson, a GNR engine driver, was struck fatally by a ballast-engine whilst crossing the yard at the station.[5] On 12 March 1887, Eli Addlesee, a driver, was killed by some wagons being shunted in the station.[6] On 27 November 1898, John William Frisby, a GNR shunter, was killed whilst crossing the line near the station.[7]
In 1937, the LNER announced that they planned to lengthen the down platform. At 800 feet (240 m) long it was too short to accommodate the increasing length of the main line express trains, and the work would extend it to 950 feet (290 m).[8] At the same time the whole platform length was to be raised to a standard height of 3 feet (0.91 m) and a new awning over the platform opposite the station buildings would be added.
It is composed of four platforms; platforms 1 and 2 are on the East Coast Main Line and are responsible for express services between London and Scotland. Platform 1 serves exclusively London King's Cross via Peterborough and Stevenage; Platform 2 serves cities of northern England and Edinburgh. Platform 2, 3 and 4 are formed from a large island platform structure. Platform 3 is a bay platform at the northern end of the station that is used to allow local trains to reverse, while Platform 4 is a two-way platform that is used by East Midlands Railway. Only Platform 1 has amenities, including toilets, refreshments and a buffet.
Prior to the reopening of the Allington Chord in 2006, trains for Nottingham – Grantham – Skegness reversed in the station and travelled along the ECML, crossing the ECML via a flat junction, adding to congestion on the main line. Since the opening of the chord they reverse and travel whence they came using the chord, crossing under the ECML using existing tracks.[17]
7 July 1898. The 9.25pm up express from Manchester collided with a goods engine which was crossing from the up sidings to the down main line. Six passengers, the guard and both drivers were slightly injured.[18]
19 September 1906, a sleeper train was derailed after overrunning signals and passing through the station at excessive speed, fourteen people were killed and seventeen were injured.
^"Cheap Trip". Grantham Journal. England. 18 August 1855. Retrieved 1 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^"Death of Mr. Bellamy". Grantham Journal. England. 8 April 1882. Retrieved 2 September 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^"Grantham Station Master Retires". Lincolnshire Standard and Boston Guardian. England. 20 July 1912. Retrieved 2 September 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^"Station Master's New Appointment". Grantham Journal. England. 22 September 1917. Retrieved 2 September 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^"Mr. William Bradley". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. England. 20 October 1917. Retrieved 2 September 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^"Failure of a Mission". Yorkshire Evening Post. England. 23 December 1943. Retrieved 2 September 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^"From Far and Near". Nottingham Journal. England. 14 June 1947. Retrieved 2 September 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.