The current station building was designed by Italian architect Lucio Barbera in 1978, and was opened to the public in 1981.

The building constitutes the main lobby and the east and west wings, which enclose the two railway platforms.

[2] The first railway line built under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began construction between Dammam and Riyadh in 1947.

On May 13, 1966, the Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) came into existence after the issuance of a royal decree which declared it a public corporation with full legal status.

The main railway station buildings with active passenger service opened in Riyadh, Dammam, and Hofuf in 1981.