The line was extended to Killaloe on 12 April 1862 and became a junction when the line was further extended from Birdill to Nenagh on 1 June 1864 by the Great Southern & Western Railway creating a through route to Limerick via Ballybrophy.

The line to Killaloe lost its passenger services on 17 July 1931 and goods traffic was suspended on 29 April 1944 as an emergency measure by the Great Southern Railways.

The signal cabin has 24 levers and is at the Killonan end of the Up platform (which is not in service) and is a crossing point and blockpost, using "C" pattern staff.

[3] Both the signal cabin and railway bridge are both listed as protected structures by Tipperary County Council (RPS Refs S708 and S709).

[4] As of 2023, Birdhill receives the following skeleton service: Monday to Saturdays Sundays A January 2012 national newspaper article suggested that Irish Rail was expected to seek permission from the National Transport Authority to close the line.