Part of
Historical photo picturing Hjo harbour.

Photographer: Arkivbild: Hjo kommun

The Old Railway – Hjo Harbour

As you stroll through Hjo Harbour, you may have noticed the small train placed on the pier. It stands as a symbol – a reminder of the railway that once connected Stenstorp and Hjo, with a spur line running directly down to the harbour.

Hjo–Stenstorp Railway (1873–1960s)

The Hjo–Stenstorp Railway was inaugurated in 1873, and its spur line extended all the way onto the dock for loading and unloading. At the time, this was Sweden’s first significant narrow-gauge railway, and it operated for more than 90 years – first privately until 1948, and then under the ownership of Swedish State Railways (SJ) until the 1960s, when the line was dismantled.

Among the goods transported were:

  • Aspen logs for the match factory in Tidaholm

  • Raw spirits for the distillery in Hjo

  • Dairy products from the dairies of Östergötland

Hjo Railway Station

The station was built just north of the town, near the harbour – an area that, at the time, had very few buildings. The southern end of the station area housed the station building, a two-storey yellow wooden structure. To the north stood a roundhouse (engine shed) with two parallel tracks and a workshop for railway equipment maintenance.

The station area also included a freight warehouse and several other operational buildings – none of which remain today.

The Railway Hotel

Between the station and Lake Vättern stood an impressive wooden building: the Railway Hotel. Unfortunately, it burned down in the 1930s. In the 1970s, it was replaced by the modern Hotel Bellevue, which still occupies the same site.

The Locomotive in the Harbour Today

The train you see today in Hjo Harbour is a symbolic tribute to the Hjo–Stenstorp Railway. It was never used on that line – it has no historical connection to the original railway – but serves as a reminder of the vital role the railway once played in Hjo’s development and harbour life.

Self-Guided Tour

Take a stroll and explore the historical architecture and craftsmanship of Hjo at your own pace.

Quick Facts

  • Number of stops: 17

  • What to do: At each stop/sign, scan the QR code

  • Starting point: Any stop

  • What you need: Mobile phone and QR code scanner

  • Duration: Around 1 hour

  • Walking distance: Approx. 1.5 km

  • Season: All year round

  • Price: FREE