To the right there is a black steam locomotive and to the left there is a grey passanger car. In between them there are stairs so you can look into the train cars. — Photo: Daniel Bernstål/Järnvägsmuseet CC-BY

Electrification

Sweden has no coal of its own! Well, there is a little. But the country is extremely vulnerable if a crisis were to occur. The railways take this very seriously, and in the 1890s railway electrification begins.

Three glas jars with different types of fuel are standing next to each other — Photo: Lovisa Brämming/Järnvägsmuseet CC-BY

“The white coal”

At the beginning of the 20th century, Sweden has a great need for coal. Among other things, it is needed to fuel steam locomotives. But coal is expensive and has to be imported. The high cost of coal, combined with the fear of disruptions to the railway, leads to an initiative to electrify the railway network. Over time, steam locomotives become obsolete. Coal is replaced by “white coal” – electricity. So, many hydroelectric power stations are built to produce all the electricity needed.