The station was opened in 1865,[1] as the terminus of a branch line from Knighton by the Central Wales Railway which was absorbed by the LNWR soon after completion. Construction of the Central Wales Extension Railway (another LNWR-backed project) southwards towards Llandovery started soon after and upon completion of this line in 1868 placed the town on a through route between Craven Arms and Swansea.
The line through the station was singled as an economy measure in the 1960s, although a passing loop was left a short distance to the north, near the town's level crossing. However, the loop was relocated to the station in 1986 by British Rail as part of the signalling modernisation scheme that centralised control at Pantyffynnon. The level crossing was converted to train-crew operation at the same time, whilst the signal box was closed. The redundant no. 2 signal box was relocated to the station in 1990 after closure and was restored to working order as a museum. It stands on the southbound platform and opens to the public at certain times.[2]
The passing-loop point machines were replaced on 22 August 2010, as part of a £5 million Network Rail modernisation scheme to renew the points at all five loops on the route.[3]
Facilities
The station has a part-time staffed ticket office; this is sited within the main building on the southbound platform. When the ticket office is closed, tickets may be purchased on the train. There is a waiting room within the buildings on the northbound side and canopies provide a covered waiting area on the southbound side. Digital display screens, customer help points and timetable poster boards are provided on both platforms, which are linked by an accessible ramped footbridge. A pay phone and post box are also provided.[4]
Service
Transport for Wales operates services between Shrewsbury and Swansea on the Heart of Wales line. There are five trains each way on Mondays to Saturdays, with two each way on Sundays.[5]
It is the busiest station on the line itself, despite the small number of trains, which can cause some overcrowding.
