Smalspåret Växjö–Västervik

About the museum

The railway between Växjö and Västervik was built in stages by two private companies between 1876 and 1922, with a track gauge of 891 mm. The state took over the lines in the 1940s, and when SJ discontinued passenger services on 19 August 1984, it was the last narrow-gauge railway with passenger traffic in the country. The closure aroused great popular engagement and led to the formation of the association Rädda Smalspåret (Save the Narrow-Gauge Line).

The association, which today is called Föreningen Smalspåret Växjö–Västervik (Smalspåret Växjö–Västervik Association), worked to preserve the line. The Växjö–Åseda section was dismantled in the early 2000s, but the line between Åseda, Hultsfred and Västervik remains. The Virserum–Jenny section, just over 95 kilometres long with station buildings, track-keepers’ cottages, goods warehouses and an engine shed, is a listed building. The section between Hultsfred and Åseda is operated by the operating company Smalspåret i Hultsfred AB, which is largely owned by the association.

Visitors can cycle a dressin along the line from Virserum, Åseda, Flaten and Hultsfred, and at times the line is served by nostalgia trains with the fire-yellow rail buses. In summer 2026 there is no regular nostalgia train service, because the rail buses are being refurbished. The association also hires out an SJ veteran bus from 1966 and whole rail buses with a restaurant car for booked trips.

Highlights

• The last narrow-gauge railway with passenger traffic in Sweden, closed by SJ in 1984
• Dressin cycling from Virserum, Åseda, Flaten and Hultsfred
• Well-preserved station environment in Virserum with a Pressbyrån kiosk
• Fire-yellow rail buses and an SJ veteran bus from 1966 for hire
• Listed railway line between Virserum and Jenny

Permanent exhibition

• Smalspåret med stationsmiljöer – Preserved narrow-gauge railway with well-preserved stations, among them Virserum and Flaten, which can be experienced from a dressin.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Föreningen Smalspåret Växjö–Västervik

Admission & discounts

Prices for dressin cycling per dressin with seats for two people; half day (4 hours) adult SEK 250 at Virserum, Åseda and Hultsfred (Flaten SEK 200). Members of the association and shareholders in Smalspåret i Hultsfred AB receive a 50% discount. Payment by Swish or card on arrival.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Dressin cycling is described as an experience for the whole family; children who can sit upright or in a child seat are welcome, and there is a limited number of child seats.

Getting there & parking

Dressin hire at Virserum station, where there is parking at the station. Electric car charging is available at ICA Krysset, about 50 m from the station.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Web shop and nostalgia kiosk at Virserum station.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Hire of a private rail bus with a restaurant or bar car (26 seats per sitting in the restaurant car), the SJ veteran bus from 1966 and Flaten station.

Plan your visit