Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Second part - XIII. Internal Communications - 1. Railways. By G. Welin, Bureau Director, State Railway Board
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
XIII.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS.
The very wide extent covered by Sweden, together with its sparse
population and the natural conditions in many parts of the country
itself, have for centuries rendered the internal communications of
Sweden very imperfect. An important change in this respect was
occasioned by the introduction of steam-power, which very soon
obtained a wide usage on the great inland seas and lakes of Sweden
and along its extensive coasts, an account of which has previously been
given under the heading of Inland Navigation. But a still greater
improvement was effected through the Railways, which in our country,
more than in most others, have brought about a real revolution and
now constitute by far its most principal means of communication.
1. RAILWAYS.
The building of railways was commenced låte in Sweden, but once
begun, it was continued with great energy. On the whole, the network
of railways in Sweden, such as it is now in the beginning of the
twentieth century, forms the greatest economical and financial
achievement that the nineteenth century can boast of in our country.
The real founder of railways in Sweden was Count A. E. von Bosen
(1797/1886). In 1845, this nobleman received concession to build railways in
tbe central and southern parts of the country on a magnificent if also somewhat
extensive plan, which, besides, in its characteristic features is closely identical
with that of the present Government railways. Although von Rosen, on account
of the general hesitation to embark in the hazardous enterprise, was not actually
able to carry out more than an insignificant part of his scheme, he nevertheless
succeeded by his unwearied energy in making his views acknowledged as to the
necessity of railways. In opposition to Rosen’s plan of providing the country
with a system of private railways, the Riksdag of 1853 resolved, however, that
the main lines were to be constructed as Government ones.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
