Ohsabanan

About the museum

Ohsabanan is a 14.5-kilometre narrow-gauge railway east of Värnamo. The line was built between 1907 and 1910 as a works railway for Ohs Bruk, which was founded as an ironworks in 1668 where Lake Rusken flows out into the Osån. The ironworks closed in 1869, and in 1893 the works were bought by Sanfrid Berglund, who had a pulp mill built. The works were run by the Berglund family for three generations, and final closure came in October 1978.

The works’ first locomotives and carriages were bought second-hand from the Helsingborg–Råå–Ramlösa Railway, and in the 1920s German vehicles from the former Heeresfeldbahnen (army field railways) were added. The line was in service until 1967, then lay fallow but was not dismantled. Traffic on the works railway ended with the industrial holiday of 1967.

Ohs Bruks Järnvägs Museiförening (Ohs Bruk Railway Museum Association) was formed on 31 May 1970, when 23 people gathered in the works building and decided to preserve the railway. The same summer the line was cleared, and the official reopening as a museum railway took place on 25 July. The non-profit association runs the line with steam locomotives from the early 20th century, and diesel locomotives can replace the steam engines in the event of machine damage or fire risk. The line passes through Småland old-growth forest, past small lakes and meadows, and climbs some of the steepest gradients on any railway in Sweden. At Gimarp station there is a new event area and meeting place.

Highlights

• Steam trains on a narrow-gauge line through Småland old-growth forest
• Engine sheds with the association’s locomotives and carriages
• Trip to Bor Norra with a café carriage and a stop
• Jernvägscafé in Ohs Bruk and Café Decauville in Gimarp
• Seasonal events such as Glasståget (Glass Train), Grilltåget (Grill Train), Musiktåget (Music Train), Ohsabanans dagar (Ohsabanan Days) and Tomtetåget (Santa Train)

Permanent exhibition

• Lokstallar och fordon – The association’s steam locomotives, diesel locomotives and carriages can be seen in the engine sheds at Ohs Bruk.

Founded

1970

Operated by

Ohs Bruks Järnvägs Museiförening

Admission & discounts

Prices for summer 2026 for a return trip from Ohs Bruk; the trip to Gimarp takes about one hour, with a ten-minute stop. Tickets for summer services and Ohsabanans dagar are sold at the station as available; other events are sold only via the website.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

Described as an outing for the whole family. There are playgrounds, children aged 0–3 travel free, a family ticket is available, and the Santa Train is especially aimed at children.

Getting there & parking

The line runs between Ohs Bruk, Gimarp and Bor Norra east of Värnamo.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Jernvägscafé in Ohs Bruk at the station is open on all operating days, and Café Decauville is in Gimarp. The café carriage accompanies all trips to Bor Norra, and fika (coffee and cake) can be pre-booked when buying tickets. Toilets are in Gimarp and Bor Norra.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

A private train can be ordered (charter service).

Plan your visit