The Mumbles Railway or Train
Collection
See the Mumbles Train at -
Swansea Museum's tramway annexe
which houses the last surviving section of a 1929 Mumbles Railway electric car, fully restored. Car No. 7,
Archive material and photo graphs add to the display. A continuous video shows the railway in action, as it once was.
To avoid disappointment, please check opening times with Swansea Museum,
Phone: 01792 653763
The website editor, Carol Powell, viewing The Mumbles Train
The entrance to car number 7, with stairs and drivers cab.
Carol climbed the train stairs and the visit brought back many memories.
By South Wales Transport c.1995
A good place to start the trail, is at the Swansea Museum Tram Shed.
The entrance to The Tram Shed, to view Mumbles Train car 7
Approaching the Pier Station
The history of the railway
Everyone had their own particular experiences of riding on the Mumbles Train, whether by horse, steam or electric locomotion.
The train at the Castle Hill terminus, Oystermouth
How Castle Hill Station, Mumbles, was moved a short distanced, and opened as Oystermouth Station, as part of a project to extend the railway to Mumbles Head.
In the Edwardian era, the Station Master, dressed in a frock‑coat and a peak cap, would ring a huge hand-bell to signal the Mumbles Train to leave for the Pier.
by John Powel
The shoreline was completely altered by the extension of the railway to Mumbles Head and the Pier
The Village Lane Breakwater and Slipway at Southend
The quay or breakwater at Southend, built by the Railway Company, around 1895, in front of Village Lane, to shelter the Oyster Skiffs, but was not maintained by them after sustaining damage in a storm and slowly allowed to rot away over many years.
by Carol Powell
By Carol Powell
The fifth of January 2020 marked the 60th anniversary of the demise of our much-loved Mumbles Railway.
The steam powered train
by Harry Libby
On Sunday, you had to walk to the Currant Tree and not travel by train. The law did not seem to prevent a return at night by train, however.
by George Webborn
This custom was a relic of medieval days when oyster boat fishermen paid homage to St. James, the Patron saint of fishermen. In ...
Horse drawn, then steam powered and finally Electric powered
A selection of films from You Tube
Mumbles Pier, train station and the cutting, c1930
I was the eldest daughter of Frank Dunkin, the Railway’s longest serving driver. He was a popular man whose beaming smile greeted all, who boarded the train.
The Train at West Cross, 1950s
... at West Cross, to wave to the often-startled upstairs passengers on the Mumbles train, as it passed close by us. But on other occasions, it was peaceful and private ...
The Electric Train at the Pier Station
by Grafton Maggs
... home, the accelerating 'le-lull-la-lull, le lull-la-lull' of the Mumbles Train could be heard, as it pulled out of Oystermouth Station, adding to the delicious feeling ...
The Train at West Cross, 1950s
by Carol Powell
We would often walk along the beach or the side of the railway track and would paraphrase the song,‘ The Happy Wanderer’ as we went:
The Electric Train at the Pier Station
by Grafton Maggs
... of the annual treats was a trip to Swansea with Mother on our lovely Train. Quality stores such as Ben Evans, David Evans, Sydney Heath, Dan Morgan etc., were visited ...
The Electric passes at West Cross
A poem
by Cyril Gwynn
... s cabhorse was waiting at The Dunns, To meet a fare at every downward train; To Langland or Caswell was then a horse’s run, For motor cars were few ...
The steam powered train
by Carol Powell
Travelling to and fro easily and reasonably quickly, by means of the Mumbles train. For many others it came to be seen as a good place to spend a day . . .
Map of the Swansea and Mumbles Railway, as well as many others
Not all lines and stations were open at the same time
Can you spare a few hours a week?
Swansea Museum is looking for friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic volunteers to join our Tramshed team.
Swansea Museum is looking for friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic volunteers to join our Tramshed team.