Swansea Mumbles Railway Paintings and Blueprint

Jeff Phillips, a celebrated local artist, has captured Swansea's rich heritage through his paintings of the Swansea tram. His works illustrate the trams that once traversed the streets of Swansea, reflecting the daily life of a bygone era.

 

Jeff's dedication to preserving local history through his art has made him a beloved figure in the community, with his paintings serving as poignant reminders of Swansea's past.

 

The history of the Swansea tram dates back to the late 19th century when the first horse-drawn trams began operating in 1878, making Swansea the world’s first passenger carrying railway system. By 1900, the system had evolved with the introduction of electric trams.

 

Sadly, in 1958 South Wales Transport bought the Swansea and Mumbles Railway shutting it down, with the last train leaving Swansea for Mumbles at 11:52am on Tuesday 5th January 1960.

 

Despite their disappearance, the legacy of the Swansea trams remains an integral part of the city's history. Through Jeff’s paintings, this legacy is vividly brought back to life, allowing viewers to glimpse into a period when trams were the lifeblood of urban mobility in Swansea.

 

For those interested in delving deeper into the history of the Swansea tram, a visit to the Swansea Waterfront Museum is highly recommended. The museum offers an extensive collection of exhibits and artifacts that vividly illustrate the evolution of transportation in the region, including the iconic Swansea trams.