A tramway connecting Rotherham, Mexborough, Swinton and Denaby had been authorised by an Act of Parliament obtained in 1902. It was constructed by the National Electric Construction Co Ltd, and operated by its subsidiary, the Mexborough and Swinton Tramways Company, from its opening in 1907, with the private company running its trams over Rotherham Corporation's tracks at the Rotherham end. The company's first attempt at rail-less operation was in 1910 when a Thornycroft charabanc, hired from the Musselburgh Tramways Company, was tried for a short period, operating between the Old Toll Bar at Mexborough and Denaby Main Colliery Village, and also from Mexborough to Wath via Manvers Main Colliery. Objections from Mexborough Council caused the withdrawal of the service.