The station was the meeting point for two major pre-grouping railways as they competed for the South Wales coal traffic.

Opened on 1 May 1878[1] by the Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway, it became part of the London and North Western Railway which through the connection with the Heads of the Valleys Line was able to take coal directly to destinations in the Midlands.

Passenger use ceased during the Second World War, the first day without service being 5 May 1941,[1] but general goods were carried until 1954 and the line was used by the Big Pit at Blaenavon until the coal mine closed in 1980.

The former goods shed of Abersychan and Talywain station near Church Road has also survived and is now used by private firm C & M Haulage.

Whilst the large goods shed was given listed building status on 28 July 1997 by the local Torfaen authority.