Carlow boasts some fine GSWR architectural buildings. Built in brick it displays similar features to that of the mainline stations on the Dublin-Cork line, this isn't surprising as the Waterford line had intended to be the GSWR's mainline, which had opened as far as Carlow in 1846. The station also retains a wooden covered footbridge and waiting room. The signal cabin is now redundant following CTC introduction, and the small freight depot behind the station is out of use, it used to handle bagged cement. Platform extensions have been made and the trackwork simplified to a loop and one siding in the former freight yard.