The opening of the bridge in 1879 provided a cross-Severn route for Forest of Dean and south Wales coal both to Sharpness docks and to Bristol.

On the north side of the river, the bridge was approached on a series of arches, one of which traversed the Gloucester to Chepstow and Newport main line.

Severn Bridge station had a passing loop, small shelters on the two platforms and a signalbox.

There was a short siding with a cattle pen at the end of the station nearer to the bridge, which closed in 1957.

[1] The Severn Railway Bridge was hit by petrol barges in a shipping accident on 25 October 1960[2] which demolished two of its 22 spans, and it was judged to be beyond economic repair.