It is the terminus of both the Cambrian Line (sited 81+1⁄2 miles (131.2 km) west of Shrewsbury) and of the narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway.

The neighbouring Manchester & Milford railway was to construct a two road platform adjoining this, to create a joint station and provide access south to Carmarthen.

The railway yard was lifted in the 1980s and the row of shops in front, known as Western Parade, was demolished in the 1990s to allow construction of a new retail park and bus station.

The 1925 station building has seen several uses, including as a local museum, but was eventually sold off and converted into a Wetherspoons pub.

[4] The platform that was originally used by trains via Lampeter to Carmarthen is now used by the narrow gauge steam-operated Vale of Rheidol Railway.

This railway's track runs parallel to and immediately to the south of the main line as far as Llanbadarn Fawr.

From 2014, the Vale of Rheidol railway, with the help of an EU-funded grant, converted the old platform 1 of the Carmarthen branch to a reduced height.

This does not allow wheelchairs to be wheeled onto coaches, but the company is working on a solution by adapting some existing rolling stock to this purpose.

[9] As of the May 2015 timetable change, (almost) hourly services have commenced between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, some of which continue to Birmingham International .

[12] Trains currently call at Bow Street, Borth, Dovey Junction, Machynlleth, Caersws, Newtown, Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford Central, Wolverhampton, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International.

On Sundays, the station sees 12 arriving services (3 start at Machynlleth, 3 at Shrewsbury, and 6 at Birmingham International).

[14] This was demolished by the Great Western Railway in 1938 to make way for a larger brick built structure, which is still standing.

The facility replaced a dilapidated set of small sheds at the railway's original base, at the riverside by the football ground.