Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - X. Internal Communications - 1. Railways. By [G. Welin] T. Hamnell
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596
x. internal communications.
Railways at the end of 1912, in proportion to Population.
(Kilometers per 10 000 Inhab.)
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 winning recognition for his
views as to the necessity of railways. Contrary to Rosen’s plan of providing
the country with a system of private railways, the Riksdag of 1853 resolved,
however, that the main lines should be constructed as Government ones.
The commission to carry into effect this resolution was entrusted in 1855 to
Nils Ericson (1802—70), already known as a canal constructor, who for this
purpose was invested with extraordinary authority1. Nils Ericson constructed
several of our Government lines and drew up plans for all the Government
railways in Central and Southern Sweden. The first Government line was
opened on December 1, 1856; the first private one, some months previously.
For the further development of the Railways, see Table 125, and the
accompanying diagram.
At the end of 1913, Sweden possessed about 14 377 kilometers of
railways in actual use, besides which about 2 200 km are in course of
construction or have concessions granted. In proportion to population,
Sweden has more railways than any other country in Europe. For every ten
thousand inhabitants, Sweden possesses 26 km, of railway, while Denmark,
which comes next, has only 13-6. The average figure for the whole of
Europe is 8.
Having regard to the sparse population of Sweden, it is natural enough
that circumstances are somewhat different, when the network of lines is
compared with the area. For every ten thousand hectares, Sweden has 3-2
km of railway, a by no means insignificant figure, seeing that the average
1 Nils Ericson was a brother of the celebrated John Ericsson of whom, by the way,
it may be mentioned, that he, too, has left a name in railway history. In the memorable
competition at Rainhill, in October, 1829, John Ericsson, also took part, and would in all
probability have proved victorious over Stephenson, had not his locomotive met with a
temporary accident.
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