Inlandsbanan
Encyclopedia
The Inland Railway is a 1288 kilometres (800.3 mi) railway line between Kristinehamn
and Gällivare
in Sweden
It runs through the central parts of northern Sweden, and was built between 1908 and 1937.
decided that the first link between Östersund
and Ulriksfors was to be built. The next stage Ulriksfors–Volgsjö (today Vilhelmina) was conceived in 1911; the year after that the Sveg
-Brunflo
stage was given the go ahead. The northernmost stage Vilhelmina
–Gällivare was agreed in 1917. By purchasing the private railway lines between Sveg
and Kristinehamn
the entire stretch stood clear.
It was to take many years for the workers to finish this line. Originally the line was to be inaugurated in 1924, but due to recession and labour shortages it was not finished until 1937.
The line did not prove profitable and was operated by SJ with a gradually decreasing service until 1992, when it was mothballed. By this time the far southern section from Mora to Filipstad had already been closed.
The remaining track was subsequently sold off to the municipalities along the route. Inlandsbanan AB operate a passenger service for just under 3 months each summer, primarily for tourists. At this time this service consists of one north and one south-bound train on the Östersund
–Gällivare
section, a journey of around 13 hours, and a single train making the round trip Östersund–Mora–Östersund, taking about 6 hours each way. The line has also been re-opened to freight and sees a small amount, mainly logging traffic. A coach service is provided on the route of the dismantled southern section. The southernmost 40 km (24.9 mi), Kristinehamn–Nykroppa
, has a sparse all-seasons passenger service operated by Värmlandstrafik
as part of a line from Kristinehamn to Ludvika
.
Kristinehamn
Kristinehamn is a locality and the seat of Kristinehamn Municipality, Värmland County, Sweden with 17,836 inhabitants in 2005.- Geography :Kristinehamn is situated by the shores of lake Vänern...
and Gällivare
Gällivare
Gällivare is a locality and the seat of Gällivare Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden with 8,480 inhabitants in 2005. The town was founded in the 17th century...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
It runs through the central parts of northern Sweden, and was built between 1908 and 1937.
History
In 1907 the Parliament of SwedenParliament of Sweden
The Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
decided that the first link between Östersund
Östersund
Östersund is an urban area in Jämtland in the middle of Sweden. It is the seat of Östersund Municipality and the capital of Jämtland County. Östersund is located at the shores of Sweden's fifth largest lake, Storsjön, opposite the island Frösön, and is the only city in Jämtland. Östersund is the...
and Ulriksfors was to be built. The next stage Ulriksfors–Volgsjö (today Vilhelmina) was conceived in 1911; the year after that the Sveg
Sveg
Sveg is a locality and the seat of Härjedalen Municipality in Jämtland County, Sweden with 2,633 inhabitants in 2005.The Swedish author Henning Mankell was brought up in Sveg, and it is the setting for his crime novel Danslärarens återkomst .- References :...
-Brunflo
Brunflo
Brunflo is a locality situated in Östersund Municipality, Jämtland County, Sweden with 3,916 inhabitants in 2005. It is situated some 15 km south-east of Östersund....
stage was given the go ahead. The northernmost stage Vilhelmina
Vilhelmina
Vilhelmina is a locality and the seat of Vilhelmina Municipality in Västerbotten County, Sweden with 3,633 inhabitants in 2005.- References :...
–Gällivare was agreed in 1917. By purchasing the private railway lines between Sveg
Sveg
Sveg is a locality and the seat of Härjedalen Municipality in Jämtland County, Sweden with 2,633 inhabitants in 2005.The Swedish author Henning Mankell was brought up in Sveg, and it is the setting for his crime novel Danslärarens återkomst .- References :...
and Kristinehamn
Kristinehamn
Kristinehamn is a locality and the seat of Kristinehamn Municipality, Värmland County, Sweden with 17,836 inhabitants in 2005.- Geography :Kristinehamn is situated by the shores of lake Vänern...
the entire stretch stood clear.
It was to take many years for the workers to finish this line. Originally the line was to be inaugurated in 1924, but due to recession and labour shortages it was not finished until 1937.
The line did not prove profitable and was operated by SJ with a gradually decreasing service until 1992, when it was mothballed. By this time the far southern section from Mora to Filipstad had already been closed.
The remaining track was subsequently sold off to the municipalities along the route. Inlandsbanan AB operate a passenger service for just under 3 months each summer, primarily for tourists. At this time this service consists of one north and one south-bound train on the Östersund
Östersund
Östersund is an urban area in Jämtland in the middle of Sweden. It is the seat of Östersund Municipality and the capital of Jämtland County. Östersund is located at the shores of Sweden's fifth largest lake, Storsjön, opposite the island Frösön, and is the only city in Jämtland. Östersund is the...
–Gällivare
Gällivare
Gällivare is a locality and the seat of Gällivare Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden with 8,480 inhabitants in 2005. The town was founded in the 17th century...
section, a journey of around 13 hours, and a single train making the round trip Östersund–Mora–Östersund, taking about 6 hours each way. The line has also been re-opened to freight and sees a small amount, mainly logging traffic. A coach service is provided on the route of the dismantled southern section. The southernmost 40 km (24.9 mi), Kristinehamn–Nykroppa
Nykroppa
Nykroppa is a locality situated in Filipstad Municipality, Värmland County, Sweden with 924 inhabitants in 2005....
, has a sparse all-seasons passenger service operated by Värmlandstrafik
Värmlandstrafik
Värmlandstrafik AB is the public transport authority for Värmland, Sweden....
as part of a line from Kristinehamn to Ludvika
Ludvika
Ludvika is a bimunicipal locality and the seat of Ludvika Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden, with 14,018 inhabitants in 2005.-Overview:The conurbation of Ludvika extends over the border of Smedjebacken Municipality, where about 400 inhabitants live....
.
External links
- Inlandsbanan - Official site
- Inlandsbanan with a railpass - Information for railpass travellers (InterRail)