The inauguration of the Inlandsbanan railway on August 6, 1937
August 6, 1937 marked a historic day in Sweden's infrastructure history when the Inlandsbanan, one of the country's most important railway lines, was officially inaugurated.
The inauguration train is decorated with the Storuman symbol and flags and people have gathered on the track area. The train continues its inaugural journey to the town of Akkats where the railway administration is hosting festivities to celebrate the completion of the 30-year-old inland railway construction. 6 August 1937
This 1,288-kilometer-long railway stretches from Kristinehamn in the south to Gällivare in the north, connecting the interior of Sweden through nine provinces and a large number of municipalities. The inauguration of the Inlandsbanan was not only a technical feat but also an important milestone in making the interior of Norrland accessible, promoting economic development and strengthening cohesion in the country.
Men work chopping and loading timber onto a sledge to clear the way for the Inlandsbanan railway which is to arrive at Föllinge in Jämtland in 1908
Construction of the Inlandsbanan began in the early 1900s, but it was not until the 1930s that the final sections were completed. The purpose of the railway was to create a transport link through Sweden's sparsely populated hinterland, where roads and other means of communication were limited. The railway would facilitate the transport of goods, such as timber and ore, and improve opportunities for travel and trade in the region. The railway was also seen as a strategic investment to strengthen Sweden's presence in the northern parts of the country.
The construction of the Inland Railway is progressing northward in the province of Lapland. Here the Swedish Minister of Civil Affairs and representatives of SJ visit the end point of the inland railway about ten kilometers north of Dorotea. Late summer 1915. Around the newly laid railway tracks are building materials for the railway. The men are traveling in a train with a passenger car for the purpose of watching the construction progress. The man on the far right has large map sheets under his arm.
The official inauguration took place on 6 August 1937 in Jokkmokk , a location chosen to symbolise the railway's importance to the inland region of Norrland. The ceremony was solemn and attended by prominent politicians, civil servants and local residents. King Gustaf V attended and gave a speech in which he emphasised the role of the Inlandsbanan in uniting the country and promoting its development. The inauguration was celebrated with festivities, including music, speeches and displays, and marked a sense of pride in the extensive work that had gone into the project.
Building the Inlandsbanan was a huge challenge due to Sweden's varied and often difficult terrain. The line crosses large forests, marshes, rivers and mountainous areas, which required advanced engineering for its time. The work was largely done by hand, and thousands of workers, known as "rallare", contributed their labor under difficult conditions. Despite these challenges, the line was completed, and became a lifeline for many communities along the route.
Ulriksfors railway station, which in 1912 was the first part of the Inlandsbanan between Östersund and Strömsund to be opened for traffic on 1 December 1912. Work on the station building and track area is in full swing. The molds for the platforms are ready and will be filled with concrete.
The inauguration of the Inlandsbanan in 1937 opened up new opportunities for trade, travel and communication in the interior of Sweden. It helped small communities along the line, such as Sorsele, Arvidsjaur and Vilhelmina, to grow and develop. Although the importance of the line as a transport route has changed over time due to competition from road transport, the Inlandsbanan is still used today for both freight and passenger traffic, especially for tourism. Summer offers popular tourist train trips where travelers can experience the magnificent nature of Sweden's interior.
The inland railway reaches Vilhelmina! Railmen work on laying rails just south of Vilhelmina in December 1917. The small community in southern Lapland is finally reached by the inland railway, which is planned to cross Lapland northwards. You can see the already built station house and the church on the mountain behind. The railmen carry the heavy rails on their shoulders and lay them out on the wooden sleepers that have been laid out. It is just before Christmas, December 19, 1917
The inauguration of the Inlandsbanan was an event that not only marked the 1930s but also laid the foundation for a long-lasting infrastructure that is still an important part of Sweden's history and identity. August 6, 1937, was a day when the interior of Sweden was tied closer to the rest of the country, and the Inlandsbanan remains a living testament to human perseverance and technical innovation.