Svartåbanan and Mälarbanan

Svartåbanan between Svartå and Örebro was built 1897 and was opened for traffic until the 80's. 1989 was decided to demolish the railway which was done 1990-1991.

 The remains can still be found during its path.

 Like this one near the old station Hemsjöstrand.

 Dormen station.

 Mullhyttemo station.

 Bälsåsby station.

 Some parts of the railway has become roads for bikes and cars.

 Some old signs are still there, here is one pointing at non-existing Kvistbro station.

 This is the only thing left of the station.

 Roads for mountain bikes take place on the old railroad now.

 Here is the answer to why this and many other railways have been removed - busses.

 Fjugesta town was the largest one along the Svartåbanan.

 Here the memory of the railway still remains.

 The old Fjugesta station building.

 Pizzeria Verona in Fjugesta.

 Close to Svartå banan, one can find meny abandoned places, like this water tower.

 Opened

 The view from the top.

 The new Mälarbanan is build here along the motorway E18/E20.

 This part was built particularly to cut the time for travelling to Örebro, and this part of the railway can only be used for passenger trains due to its steep elevation (up to 2,5%). The cargo trains are taking the old railway through Frövi.

 One of the Pink busses are passing by...

 Today the railway is operated by X40 and older SJ cars. The railway was built for speeds up to 250km/h, but today no trains are allowed to do that.

 Valskog station, where Mälarbanan continues (to the left) and the other part is split to Svealandsbanan (to the right).

 Valskog station has had two lives, between 1867-1968 and between 1990-1996.

 The railway seen towards Arboga.

 Svealandsbanan is crossing Forsby-Köping limestone cableway which has been transporting cement to the port of Köping and was shut down 1997.

 SJ Regional X14 is passing by. This line is very short between Eskilstuna and Arboga.

 One and same train is operating here.

 SJ Regional at Folkesta rapeseed field.

Småland

On a rainy spring day, this trip went to småland through some places in västergötland. First some stops along the Västra stambanan railway.

 Gårdsjö station must be one of the smallest train stations in Sweden. The town of Gårdsjö has only 146 citizens, but the trains are stopping here several times per day.

 This one however is passing without stopping. X74 from MTR Express from Göteborg to Stockholm.

 Next stop is Skultorp. The station was shut down 1981, due to its close location to Skövde (5km), the busses are operating here instead.

 The station building is however left as a memory.

 Next one is a stop at Vaggerydsbanan in Småland. Smålands Taberg is a station from 1894 and is still operated.

 Taberg is famous for its mountain, 343 meters above sea level and is mentioned in Selma Lagerlöfs "The wonderful adventures of Nils".

 On top there is a view point, and a cafe.

 The station can be seen from above.

 On top there is also a royal monument.

 Vaggeryd is the next stop.

 The train from Värnamo is approaching. Vaggerydsbanan is operated by Krösatågen and diesel cars Y31/Y32.

 There are plans to electrify this railway, but no decision has been taken yet.

 Skillingaryd station.

 Another royal monument.

 JLT länstrafiken billboard.

 Train leaving to Jönköping.

 Klevshult station.

 Train from Skillgaryd is approaching

 Due to few passengers at this station, most train are just passing by.

 Värnamo station. Here the non-electrified Vaggerydsbanan meets the electrified Kust-till-kust banan from Kalmar to Göteborg.

 Close to Värnamo there is a nationpark called Store Mosse. Kust-till-kust railway is crossing it right in the middle.

 Store Mosse has the largest boggy ground south of Lappland.

 So, one can enjoy the real north already in south part of Sweden.

 SJ Regional from Kalmar to Göteborg is passing here.

 Trails are made for enjoying this beautiful place.

The remains of old peat plant can be found here.