The first section of the South Wales Railway, that between and , which included the station originally named "Port Talbot", opened either on 18 June 1850, or on 19 June 1850. The station was renamed several times: to "Port Talbot and Aberavon" on 5 June 1897; to "Port Talbot General" on 1 July 1924 (the suffix distinguishing it from other stations in Port Talbot), later reverting to the original "Port Talbot" in April 1947, finally becoming "Port Talbot Parkway" on 3 December 1984.