It wasn't a very comfortable train because there were no corridors. You had to stay put and there was barely any padding on the seat. It hadn't got electric lights, but it had gas lights. It took at least an hour to go from Ennis to Lahinch and there was one hill it kept having to start again to try to get up. This was because it ran on turf and the fire wasn't big enough to produce enough steam.

You couldn't buy beverages and there were no toilets. The train was always late because of the hill, and it was a very bumpy ride. The train was mostly used for transporting goods such as Guinness, flour and meal. The Guinness used to be taken to pubs by pony and cart and sometimes hand cart.

The station house stood gable-on to the line. On the night of January 23rd 1923 it was damaged by fire when attacked by executive troops. It was subsequently repaired and was also extended. The station had two platforms and several sidings as well as a turntable.

The turntable was installed in 1953, having been brought from Kilmessan on the Clonsilla-Kingscourt line, and was used to turn the diesel railcars in the peak tourist months when speed was of the essence. The nearest turntable was six miles further down the line in Miltown Malbay.

Lahinch Station was once, next to Ennis, the busiest station on the whole line at least in summer time when the tourists came in their thousands. The late Mr. J.J. Skerritt was the last station master in Lahinch when the West Clare closed in 1961.

Percy French became associated with County Clare in the song Are ye right there Michael?. In 1898 Percy French sued the directors of the West Clare Railway Company for "loss of earnings" when he and his troupe of entertainers were late for a performance in Moores Hall, Kilkee. He had advertised a concert for 8 p.m. on the evening of 10th August 1896, in Kilkee. He left Dublin that morning and arrived in Ennis on time for the 12.30 train which was due to reach Kilkee at 3.30p.m. The train slowed up approaching Miltown Malbay and when it got to the station there did not go any further. Five hours elapsed before a replacement train arrived and as a result he did not get to the hall in Kilkee until 8.20 p.m. His magic lantern, which was with his luggage, did not arrive until 9.00. When he reached the hall most of the audience had gone home and the receipts were only £3 instead of the usual £14. A railway company official explained that when the engine took on water at Ennistymon weeds got into the boiler. This became apparent after a few miles and by the time Miltown Malbay was reached the driver decided to put out the fire because of the possibility of an explosion. No further progress was possible and a replacement engine was requested.

French was awarded £10 expenses. The Railway Company appealed but the award stood. The incident led to the song Are ye right there Michael? which became one of the most popular numbers in his repertoire. Because of the court case the West Clare Railway and Percy French have been closely associated ever since.