Both the loop and adjacent level crossing are remotely worked from the signal box at Exmouth Junction.

The station, with buildings designed by Sir William Tite, opened with the railway on 1 May 1861.

[1] On 23 September 1861 a 700 yards (640 m) branch was opened from the south end of the station, which dropped steeply to the wharf on the River Exe.

Following the privatisation of British Rail it was operated by Wessex Trains but the franchise has now been transferred to Great Western Railway.

[3] All trains on the Avocet Line from Exmouth to Exeter St Davids and Paignton call at Topsham.