It is located between the stations of Malmi and Puistola, along the main railroad track from Helsinki to Riihimäki, about 13 kilometres northeast from the Helsinki Central railway station.

The stop was originally named Vanda, but was renamed as Mosabacka already in the next year.

A new station building was completed in 1939 but was moved to Pikku Huopalahti in 1991.

Tapanila railway station has two platform tracks for passenger trains (3, 4).

Track 1 has a short platform that is unused by the passenger trains that stop at the station and is no longer accessible.