A History of Mumbles - The Mumbles Railway the route from Oystermouth to Mumbles Pier

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A History of Mumbles

The Mumbles Railway

Route from Oystermouth to Mumbles Pier

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The Mumbles Railway

Oystermouth to Mumbles Pier Station

A larger map of the Railway is at the end of the article -

The Mumbles Train can be seen leaving Oystermouth Station for the Pier.

The breakwater is in the centre of this photo taken from Clements Quarry, 1903. There are some interesting fossils in the Quarry which are unique to the area, notably Spirifer oystermouthensis, a brachiopod and Zaphenta oystermouthensis, a cornet-shaped coral.

Another view of the steam train at Oystermouth Station

The fishermen complained about the loss of their natural harbour, so the railway company offered to build them a wooden breakwater or groyne as protection for their boats. It soon fell into disrepair because the local council refused to maintain it and a large part was swept away in a gale in September 1904.

The poles being saved are in situ, on the left and centre, at Mumbles Train at Oystermouth Station, 1950s.

Looking towards Southend, with two of the three rusting poles, in the centre, waiting to be restored. They are often ignored by passers by who do not realise that they were an essential part of the Mumbles Train system. Photo: A History of Mumbles, December 2019.

2005 - Oystermouth Station Latest
The rusting poles are being restored

Looking towards Norton, with all three rusting poles, which are waiting to be restored.

Photo: A History of Mumbles, June 2022

It's marvellous that the poles, which were slowly rusting away over the years, are now to be restored and will complement the new Station name board (with a QR link to more history) already planned for installation on the site.

Many locals will remember that two of the poles supported the cables which carried the electric power to each train carriage. One pole near the old Railway Waiting Room, was used as a light standard, illuminating Oystermouth Station platform and the Square.

Since Oystermouth Station opened in the 1890s, replacing the original Mumbles Station (on the site of the Dairy Car Park) there have been many changes in the area, some of which are illustrated on our website:

More: - Oystermouth Square explored

The wooden breakwater or groyne, seen in the centre of this 1926 photo, is now almost gone.

The remains of an Oyster skiff (boat)

The wrecked remains of several oyster skiffs (boats), which lie near the sea wall and are a small, but constant reminder of a proud and hard-working band of men, who once worked in this thriving centre of our past sea-going community.

New houses and shops have appeared in the foreground of today's view. The Shops on the seaward side of The Dunns were demolished in 1971. In 1960 the Mumbles Train ceased running after 156 years and the promenade which follows the track is now for walkers and cyclists. The Clements Quarry is now a carpark and recycling centre.

This is the start of the Mumbles History Trail, see- Publications

Regatta day at Southend in the 1920s. The photo was taken from the bridge opposite The George Hotel.

A steam train journeys to Mumbles Pier.

The years leading up to the Great War were undoubtedly the hey-day of the line with immense numbers of holiday-makers and day-trippers visiting the village.