The Village of “Os”

August 26, 2013 by megalagom 5 Comments

While spending the weekend in Värnamo to visit family we went on a little “utflykt” or an “outing” to a nearby village called “Os” (also spelled Ohs). What puts this little place on the map isn’t it’s population of about only 100 people, but it’s use of narrow gauge steam trains from 1910.

When we first arrived I didn’t understand that the trains were actually functioning, or going anywhere – until I heard the classic Chugga Chugga noise, bells loudly clanking and the powerful pressure of steam shooting into the air as a train pulled into the station with passengers and conductors hoping on and off:

“Train to” time schedule:

The trains travel a distance of 15 km, to a town called “Bor Norra”. The round trip ride takes 2 1/2 hours, which includes a 30 minute stop at Bor Norra.

If 2 1/2 hours is too long, then take the “Short round trip” to experience riding on the train for 45 minutes, to a town called “Gimarp” and back again.

Turning the trains around is a two man job:

Trains of all shapes and colors lined the tracks:

 

Os is not only known for its trains and its train museum, but also for its industrial history. Founded in 1600, Ohs was centered around an iron mill, which was converted into a paper pulp factory in 1893. When the factory closed in 1978 the population dwindled down to about 100. This iron mill/paper factory is now a museum:

Some of the industrial background is still around; the train yard also has sawmills (sågverk):

   A nice little trip to a nice little town.