The station was originally opened in 1860 as part of the
Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway route between
Limerick and
Sligo, and was the major stop on the section between
Athenry and
Claremorris, being the only station on this section with two platforms and a
passing loop. In 1901, the WLWR was purchased by the
Great Southern and Western Railway, and thus became part of the GSWR's network. Tuam also featured an extensive goods yard and
locomotive facilities. The station was closed, along with the whole route, in 1976 during
Córas Iompair Éireann's rationalisation of the rail network. After its closure to passenger trains, the goods facilities at Tuam continued to be heavily used, as the route remained a significant one for freight. The carriage and locomotive sheds were also used by a group called Westrail. This was a
railway preservation group that operated trains between
Athenry, Tuam and
Claremorris until 1993, when Tuam station was closed as a
block post. through the station ==Railfreight==