From Steam To Electricity

This was the scene during the 1920's near the Bay View Hotel, St. Helen's. The picture clearly illustrates the different forms of transport that were in use at this time. Notice the electric tramcar on the left, the bus, the cars in the distance as well as the Mumbles Train. The main Shrewsbury line is on the right.

The 1920's was the last decade when the Mumbles Train was hauled by steam locomotives. Did you know that only one steam train could run on the Mumbles Railway line at any one time? This was because the line was single track for most of its length.

The new motor buses which ran between Swansea and Mumbles became more popular than the trains. They were quicker and much more comfortable.

Steam locomotives ran on the Mumbles Railway until March 1st 1929. Electric trains took over the following day.

The picture on the left shows the locomotive shed at Rutland Street in 1929. The picture on the right shows a Mumbles bound train waiting at Brynmill Station. Notice the length of the train. Compare this with the electric trains which took over from steam.

Did you know that the very first electric powered passenger service was the 4:30 am from Rutland Street on Saturday, 2nd March? Souvenir booklets were given to all passengers during the first two days of electric running.

In 1927, an electric sub-station was built at Blackpill to provide electricity for the new trains. The date can be seen above the door in the picture on the right. You can find out more about this sub-station in the "Route of the Mumbles Railway".

Did you know that a new signalling system had to be constructed for the electric trains?
The signals were operated by the train's 'pantograph' - the arm which picked up power from the overhead electricity cables.