Searching for "Granen Fredrik"

Today I'm travelling to western part of Sweden searching for a little tree planted along the railway. There is a touching story about this tree, I will tell more details later in this post.

 First I'm visiting some stops along Kinnekullebanan railway. This railway is non-electrified and in some parts in poor condition, but the trains are still operating here, even though I did not had a chance to see one on this midsummer day.

 Äskekärr station

 Old coach reminding of the old fashioned way of travelling

 Österäng

 "Watch out for the train" is this note

 Forshem

 Hällekis

 Blomberg

 Lovene

 Järpås

 I have now arrived to Vänerbanan

 X52 train for service Göteborg-Karlstad is passing by

 After quite long searching I have finally found what I've been looking for

 The little spruce tree is planted here since 1870's. This tree is the 3rd one after the first one was planted. The story is that during the building of the raiway, one of workers named Fredrik planted a tree. The tree is meant to bring luck to the train drivers and no one should miss to signal when passing by here.

 There is a small box with paper and pen inside for visitors leaving their messages.

 On my way back I'm stopping at another rare view these days.

 During my trips between Stockholm and Göteborg, I've always noted this station when passing by. Now I got a chance to stop here. Built in 1858 it is now the only one of its kind left and probably not for long time.

 X40 train passing by

 X2 train passing by