I love the reference that Wynford Vaughan Thomas was sometimes accompanied by Dylan Thomas, both making up verses to match the rhythm of going over the tracks. Poetry in motion!
Numerous comments on this thread blaming Swansea Council for the closure of the Mumbles Railway, however it was never ever council owned, rather it was a private concern throughout its existence.
The closure of the Mumbles Railway was an act of shocking vandalism but one carried out by South Wales Transport rather than Swansea County Borough Council. We can but hope that one day, Swansea City Council and the Welsh Government can restore a light railway on the old route which is still largely available for such a scheme. Thank you for posting such a wonderful film.
Hearing Wynford's voice ,reminded me of the story he told on the radio some years ago He and Dylan Thomas were skiving off afternoon lessons at the old Swansea Grammar School. As they walked towards the school gate,and freedom,the Headmaster's window opened,and the HM shouted at them - "You boys',where do you think you are going?" "We are going to play billiards at The Castle Snooker Hall", Dylan shouted back. There was a brief pause,and then the Headmaster replied, "You wicked,wicked boys',I hope you get caught" !!! How lovely was that? Great video,by the way. I remember riding the train after school. Ex Bishop Gore pupil.
@@lesleygeorge4132 This was posted by KEN GEORGE while using Lesleys computer. I Ken, rode on the LAST TRAIN. I have a special ticket, recording the event, somewhere.
Much has already been said about the shortsighted decisions made in 1960 the reasons were commercial but very blinkered. Now the Slip Bridge is in limbo lying on the coast path while the Council try to justify the demolition of the abutments The generator house is a cafe & a few rusty relics cling to existence in Oystermouth. Whatever we say or do now 52 years on can never restore what was but we can keep the memory alive. This film & others are great to record that time.
wow. 10 years later and the slip is still there with no bridge. when i first saw the remains i thought it was a waste of space, didnt know its historical significance. there are other bridges like the one by llyn cychod/ campws singleton and the new one off the new stadium.
Great film, It was the shortsighted directors of South Wales Transport who owned & killed off the Mumbles Railway - too expensive, buses were cheaper to run. The tourist value of the train was totally ignored by them despite petitions & protests local & worldwide. The only surviving complete 'tram' was destroyed, I think by fire in a Tram museum. A front section is preserved in Swansea Museum.
Car No. 2 was saved for presrvation and stored at the Middleton Railway in Leeds but was vandalised and, yes, eventually finished off by a fire. A sad end to the last survivor of a class that was the worlds largest tramcar, R.I.P Swansea & Mumbles Railway
