Smalspårsjärnvägen Hultsfred–Västervik
Northern Europe’s longest narrow-gauge museum railway, 70 km between Hultsfred and Västervik, with rail buses and steam trains run by Tjustbygdens Järnvägsförening.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Smalspårsjärnvägen Hultsfred–Västervik opened in 1879, built by Hultsfred–Westerviks Jernvägs AB. It is the longest narrow-gauge railway in Northern Europe, with a track gauge of 891 millimetres. The line later became part of Norsholm–Västervik–Hultsfreds Järnvägar and was taken over by the state in 1949. SJ discontinued passenger services in 1984, and freight traffic ended in 1985. The railway was designated as Sweden’s first listed railway (byggnadsminne), by decisions in 1996 and 1999.
Tjustbygdens Järnvägsförening was formally founded on 8 August 1979 and has been the sole holder of the operating permit for the line since 1997. The whole route reopened to traffic in 2003. The line is owned by Förvaltnings AB Smålandsbanan.
Today museum trains with rail buses and steam locomotives run in summer, and special trains run at events during the rest of the year, for example to the Christmas market in Ankarsrum. Västervik is the main station, with engine shed, rail bus depot and workshop, and the station building at Verkebäck sells books and postcards.
Highlights
- 70 km narrow-gauge museum railway between Hultsfred and Västervik
- Rail buses and steam-hauled trains
- Railway designated as a listed building (byggnadsminne)
- Tjustskolan with a three-rail track
- Christmas market train to Ankarsrum and elf trains (tomtetåg)
- Founded
- 1979
- Operated by
- Tjustbygdens Järnvägsförening (banan ägs av Förvaltnings AB Smålandsbanan)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 60 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 6 · Children up to and including the year they turn 6 travel free, two per paying passenger. Young people aged 6–18 travelling without an adult pay half the adult fare. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –Pushchairs, wheelchairs and rollators travel free. |
| Groups | –Whole trains can be hired (charter your own train). |
| Families | –Young people aged 6–18 travelling with an adult pay SEK 20 extra per single journey; this applies only to tickets bought on board. |
| Västervik–Verkebäck, return | SEK 120Single SEK 60 |
| Västervik–Ankarsrum, return | SEK 160Single SEK 80 |
| Västervik–Hultsfred, return | SEK 300Single SEK 150 |
| Bicycle (any distance) | SEK 50Subject to available space; book by phone the day before |
Prices are for 2026 and vary by route; the lowest single fare (Västervik–Verkebäck) is SEK 60. Membership cards of Tjustbygdens Järnvägsförening and the Svenskt kulturarvskort give around 50% discount. Night surcharge SEK 20 for journeys that start after 23:00. Dogs and other pets travel free. Tickets can be booked at boka.smalsparet.se or bought at the Verkebäck station on operating days; on board you can pay with cash, card or Swish.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The rail buses and carriages are museum vehicles with limited accessibility. The entrance door of the rail buses takes wheelchairs up to 60 cm wide. The journey should be registered in advance, no later than the day before, on +46 490 230 10. Pushchairs can normally not stand in the compartment on rail-bus trains and are placed in the vestibule.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly
Children up to and including the year they turn 6 travel free; elf trains in December. Pushchairs travel free and are placed in the vestibule.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Västervik
Trains to Hultsfred (the Kustpilen from Linköping or Kalmar) and Västervik; the museum trains stop at Västervik, Verkebäck, Fårhult, Ankarsrum, Totebo, Tuna, Vena and Hultsfred, among others.
Västervik is the main station, with engine shed, rail bus garage and workshop. Hultsfred is the southern terminus of the line, with a station building from 1902. Verkebäck station is staffed on operating days.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The station building at Verkebäck sells books and postcards. In summer there is a restaurant in the station building at Fårhult.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Whole trains can be hired.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Good to know | Resplus tickets are bought via sj.se, snalltaget.se or resrobot.se; check that the ticket states TJF Smalspåret. |
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