The station is on the Heart of Wales Line 42 miles (68 km) north east of Swansea and is located at Tywi Avenue.

The station sits at the bottom of an 8+1⁄2 miles (13.7 km) descent from the line's southern summit at Sugar Loaf tunnel and until August 1964, a locomotive shed was in operation here to house the engines used for assisting northbound trains (the ruling gradient on this section being 1 in 60).

[3][4] There is a passing loop and level crossing (of the A40 road) at the station, but the signal box that formerly operated them was closed in 1986.

The token instruments for the single line and crossing barriers are both operated by the train crew under the supervision of the signaller at Pantyffynnon.

There are shelters, CIS screens and customer help points on each platform, whilst a local volunteer group runs a cafe and gallery in the main station building.