Through Stockholm Continued
The “wasp waist”
The wasp waist has some 20 trains an hour (almost all passenger) in each direction during rush hours. Work has recently begun on a six kilometer long tunnel under the center of Stockholm primarily for commuter trains which will double the rail capacity.
Right after Södra Station there is a curved fairly long tunnel and we waited a while before entering it to allow an empty timber train to rumble through. We weren’t sure everybody would like to meet with it in the dark. The tunnel exits on to a low bridge across Lake
Exiting the Söder Tunnel
Malaren. After an underpass at Riddarholmen we were quickly onto the next bridge with a wonderful view of the City Hall where the Nobel Prize Banquet takes place each December.
The first bridge across Lake Mälaren - - -
- - - overlooking the City Hall
Stockholm Central Station
We now entered Stockholm Central Station which is a through station nineteen tracks wide. We stopped here to have coffee and muffins; boy it tasted good! It was now bright daylight and some trains appeared on the adjacent tracks.
Right: Entering Stockholm Central Station.
Below: Railbike on track 19.
Right: Our escort and Åke (a real bright head) having coffee.
As an extra the Rail Authority invited us to visit the CTC-room which is located in a round building next to the Central Station. Here we watched how a team of traffic controllers directed all trains for about a hundred miles South, West and North of Stockholm. All tracks were represented on a huge display going around half the building. We could see for ourselves that the track ahead of us was in red for which we expressed our sincere thanks. Needless to say this building is highly classified and getting in there was quite a treat.
The Central Station - Tomteboda
Back on track we continued towards the single track line, to which we had a couple of miles to go on a six to eight tracks wide section. For the third or fourth time we passed our film team; this time they were patiently waiting for us on a high bridge getting a birds view of us struggling through the switches.
On our way again crossing yet another flyover.
At Tomteboda Yard starting towards Värtan on a single track
Tomteboda - Värtan
Our locomotive was waiting for us at the Tomteboda yard, from where the track to Värtan branches off. By now it was getting warm and we could trade our sweaters for sun glasses. In contrast to the mainline the track to Värtan is a bit rough here and there, with old fashioned rail joints that gave the dressin riders that nice clickety-click feeling.
On our way to Värtan.
Next stop was midway to Värtan where our track passed under a narrow gauge commuter line. We enjoyed yet another nice chat with each other and got nice photos of a train on the bridge above us.
We now entered a forest of deciduous trees that actually is a national park and after a couple of miles surrounded by intense bird song we arrived at Värtan Harbor, which mainly serve ferries to Finland. Once more we passed under another railroad track this one was part of the subway system. The railbike trip had now reached its final destination which I must admit felt a bit sad; but as it turned out there was one more adventure awaiting me.
Left: We pass under a bridge with a narrow gauge
train above.
Cab ride Värtan - Sundbyberg
After we had loaded the equipment on a trailer behind my old Volvo, the engineer from the Authority offered me to take the drivers' seat for the journey back to the MOW depot in Sundbyberg. Well, I confess to you that all my life I have secretly dreamed about becoming a locomotive engineer (just like you guys), and now my dream was to come true!
The engine was quite new with a computer screen and two joy sticks – a throttle and a brake – as the main controls. Leaving Värtan I was saluted by a colleague in a meeting locomotive; I now knew for sure I was a real engineer. Once we were back on the mainline at Tomteboda yard I was ordered full throttle which quickly took us on smooth track to the depot in Sundbyberg where the rest of the group were waiting.
Engineer at controls.
The finale
Åke finished the railbike trip by riding a dressin on to the turntable and after having been turned to face the right stall he rode gracefully into the roundhouse. The closing of the stall doors marked the end of a truly unique and wonderful journey.
On the turntable in Sundbyberg - the grand finale.
See what a wrench can get you?
