We have to look back to 1804, to have a good understanding of the beginnings of the Swansea and Mumbles Railway.
Back in 1804, the railway was known as the Oystermouth Railway, when built when an Act was passed for the the removal of limestone at a quarry at Oystermouth and moved to Swansea Docks, where it would transported all over the world. AT Act, situated that haulage was carried out men, horses or otherwise.
Work was carried by the Oystermouth Tramroad Company. The chairman, was Sir John Morris, and on the board was his son, John Armine Morris. John the send Baronet of Clasemont. He also built Clasmont Mansion, Morriston.
The original garage that was laid was 4 ins with L shaped tramplates mounted on stone. Work was completed in in 1806, and with a formal ceremony. The train ran from the Swansea Canal, Swansea around the sweep of the bay to Oystermouth.
The following year, 1807, Benjamin French, offered to pay £20 to Oystermouth Tramroad Company, where he was able to transport fee paying passengers for 12 months. The first passenger to use the train was 25th March 1807.
Venture was a success.
I will write about the changes made on railway in the following in a following blog.