This was the first railway station to serve the large Co.Westmeath town of Athlone located on the River Shannon. The Midland Great Western Railway opened the line to Athlone in 1851 as part of their main line to Galway. A large station was established on the western side of the Shannon beyond the impressive 450 feet river bridge. The station had up and down platforms, the down been effectively an island, giving the station three platforms in total. The main buildings, accessed at street level were located on the up platform. The platforms were also covered by typical MGWR style canopies. Two tall water towers were also provided at the either end of the station, the western one been located adjacent to the locomotive shed, opposite which was the small goods shed. Also at the western end of the station was the large brick built MGWR signal cabin which controlled the junction for the Westport line. There were also extensive sidings and loco facilities at the western extremity of the station by the Galway line, but all have since been removed.

In 1985, Athlone Midland was closed, and passenger services were transferred to the MGWR's rival Great Southern & Western station on the east side of Shannon, closed since 1925. The disused station buildings, as well as the down platform canopy, remain intact at Athlone Midland, but the sidings and yard have been rationalised since the signal cabin was taken out of use in mid 1980s and replaced by modern CTC signalling.