When the track was rationalised in the 1980's only the up platform was used for trains to and from Merthyr and the Merthyr line was singled. The down platform was disused. Coal trains to and from the Cynon Valley diverged just south of the station and used what was the up freight avoiding line and so did not pass the platform. Incredible short-sightedness really since the Aberdare line was already being used for excursion trains to Cardiff. Even more incredible was choosing to build a separate platform further up the line in 1988 when the regular service started instead of remodelling the trackwork.