It was originally a large station, with an extensive marshalling yard with a turntable and goods depot accompanying it, and was the terminus of the Ruabon to Barmouth line which ran via Llangollen, Corwen and Dolgellau. This branch line was a victim of the Beeching cuts in the 1960s, closing to passengers in 1964 and completely four years later. The bay platform serving this route can still be seen at the station. Following further cuts in the national railway service, Ruabon station became an unstaffed halt in 1974. Currently trains run on two routes operated by Arriva Trains Wales: