Fascinating history of Kalmar Railway - a journey through time and development
As railways began to spread across Sweden, the south-eastern part of the country faced the risk of being left out of the new communication network. But through persistence and co-operation between stakeholders in Kalmar and Karlskrona, a solution was born: a union station was strategically placed in Emmaboda, a place where a new community was rapidly emerging. On 8 August 1874, the Kalmar Railway was solemnly inaugurated by King Oscar II, marking the start of a journey filled with both challenges and successes.
The early years were characterised by financial difficulties and insufficient resources. In 1892, the railway was rocked by a scandal when it was revealed that its director had embezzled large sums of money. Despite this, the future was brighter. In 1914, the line was extended to Nässjö, and in 1930, the stylish locomotive No 17 was introduced for express train services - an iconic locomotive that is preserved today as part of Swedish railway history.
Following the state takeover of the railway, the Kalmar-Emmaboda-Alvesta line was electrified in 1955, re-establishing the important direct links to Stockholm. Although local passenger services were replaced by buses in 1968, they made a triumphant comeback in 2014 under the name Krösatåg. By its 150th anniversary, the railway had more traffic than ever before, showing its continued importance to the region.
In this magnificent book you can follow the history of Kalmar Railway in detail. With interesting stories about the origins of the railway, royal visits, the everyday life of the staff, and the development of locomotives and wagons, the railway's journey through time is depicted. The book is richly illustrated with photos, track plans, timetables and much more, making it a perfect tribute to the railway that has meant so much to the community.
256 pages in A4 format filled with exciting railway history - a must for all history and railway enthusiasts!
