The Mumbles Railway's Final Journey 🚊

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Good morning, Swansea! Today’s story is about the day of the Mumbles Railway’s last journey, with memories from the people who were actually there.

Grab a cuppa and enjoy, and I’ll catch you on Sunday

Andrew.

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The Final Day

On January 5th, 1960, the Mumbles Railway, the world’s oldest passenger-carrying railway, ran its final journey along the sweeping curve of Swansea Bay.

It had operated for 156 years, starting in 1807 with horse-drawn carts before evolving through steam, petrol, and electric traction. But by the time of its closure, it was seen by some as a relic, unable to keep pace with the demands of modern transport.

The final day was a poignant mix of celebration and mourning, as thousands turned out to bid farewell.

A Wake in the Rain

The real farewell began on the evening of January 4th, 1960, with a bittersweet "wake" aboard the last night train.

In the words of a reporter at the time, it was “hilarious” yet “bitter,” as passengers donned top hats, veils, and mourning attire to match the mood of the occasion.

Backed by rainy Welsh weather, they sang funeral hymns and the "Dead March from Saul," and a trombone player belted out "Auld Lang Syne" and "We’ll Keep a Welcome in the Hillsides" (The Scotsman, January 6, 1960; South Wales Evening Post, January 1, 1995).

Despite the theatrics, the event was tinged with rebellion. Some mourners suggested, half-seriously, that they should lie in front of the buses set to replace the trains. Others lamented the loss with grim resignation: “It’ll take a lot of people away from the Mumbles,” one attendee said (Birmingham Daily Post, January 5, 1960).

The Final Journey

The following day, an official last journey took place in bright sunshine, with two red electric cars carrying dignitaries and railway enthusiasts along the five-mile route. Thousands more locals turned up to say goodbye.

Among the passengers was 71-year-old driver Frank Dunkin, who had worked on the line for 57 years and was famous for stopping the train to pocket golf balls that had landed on the track from Ashleigh Road. “It’s like saying goodbye to an old friend,” Dunkin said as he marked the end of his long career (South Wales Evening Post, January 1, 1995).

The trains, decorated with shields and colourful lights, made their way from Oystermouth to Swansea. At every station, crowds gathered to cheer and wave, while photographers and cars followed along the route.

The celebratory atmosphere contrasted with the reality of the railway’s closure: the ageing infrastructure required an estimated £350,000 to repair, and declining passenger numbers made it financially unsustainable.

Resistance and Regret

By the mid-20th century, the railway was struggling to compete with modern buses and cars. The South Wales Transport Company (SWT), which acquired the line in 1959, argued that buses would better meet the needs of the growing population.

Opposition to the railway’s closure was fierce. A petition with 14,000 signatures highlighted the community’s desire to preserve it, though, as one reporter dryly observed, “The 14,000 who signed have not been supporting the railway by using it” (Birmingham Daily Post, January 5, 1960).

In Parliament, debates over its closure evoked vivid memories from peers who had travelled the line in their youth. Lord Ogmore described it as a “vicious attack on this old railway,” while Lord Merrivale lamented the replacement of electric traction with “evil-smelling transport” (The Sphere, February 21, 1959).

Despite these protests, the railway’s fate was sealed. The final act was both practical and ceremonial: during a luncheon at the Guildhall, the deeds to the railway land were officially handed over.

A Lasting Legacy

Even in its absence, the Mumbles Railway refused to fade from memory. “It is the railway that refuses to die,” declared the South Wales Evening Post 35 years after its closure.

Memories of driver Frank Dunkin and unsung heroes like Willie Packard, who braved harsh winter snow to keep the trains running, were celebrated in a commemorative video in the 1990s. The footage captured the charm of the seaside journey, described by one author as “Rock and Roll to Paradise.”

Calls for the railway’s revival have persisted, with feasibility studies in the 1990s and 2000s suggesting that a modernised Mumbles train could operate as a tourist attraction, but the plans never materialised.

Learn More About the Mumbles Railway

Sadly, little of the Mumbles Railway existence remains, but here are some ways to discover more

🚂 The Junction cafe in Blackpill is housed in one of the line’s old stations. There are information boards about the Mumbles Railway on the outside of the building (Blackpill Lido side).

 🚂 The Tramshed (run by Swansea Museum) in Swansea Marina features a history of the line, including the last surviving part of the train from the 1960s, which you can climb inside to the top deck.

🚂 The Mumbles Railway Trail is marked with replica station stop signs along the whole route. Scan the QR code on each sign to watch videos and learn about the history of the line.

Would you like to see a railway return to Swansea Bay? Do you have memories of the Mumbles Railway? Let me know! Reply to this e-mail or comment below.

Catch you on Sunday!

Andrew.