JodockWorldTravel

August 19, 2025 (Narvik, Norway)

Linked by rail to Sweden but not to any other town in Norway, Narvik might have gone completely unnoticed by the rest of the world were it not for its large ports that remain ice-free throughout the year. Prior to 1882 Narvik was a quiet little farming and fishing village with very few inhabitants. The railway boom that began in the 1870s would changed that.

Iron ore was discovered in Sweden in the 1700s, but there was no easy way to export it. Not only are the mines surrounded by rugged mountain terrain, but all of the nearby ports freeze over in winter, making it difficult to move the ore from Sweden to potential buyers.

They originally used reindeer and boats, but the railway boom created a demand for Sweden’s iron ore that necessitated a better solution. Narvik’s proximity to the mines and ice-free waters offered the perfect answer (Norway and Sweden were a united kingdom at the time), but they needed a way to get the ore from the mines to the port. The British were experiencing “railway mania” and offered to finance the building of a railway between the two.

Creating the railway here was no easy task. There were no roads in the steep rocky cliffs, and no helicopters to fly supplies in. Initially they hired local farmers and their wagons and mules to get equipment and supplies up the mountain, but eventually a cable car system was built. It is estimated that more than 10,000 tons of goods were delivered this way. Pam tried to find a picture, and this was the best she could do.

Severe winds, freezing temperatures, winter storms and weeks of total darkness did not make the building of this railway any easier. But by 1902, five thousand skilled laborers had laid the tracks and built the tunnels, bridges and steep inclines needed. The tracks were open for business and Narvik was officially recognized as a town. The tracks were electrified in 1923.

Today this single 26-mile track is used to transport twelve daily freight trains carrying 70,000 tons of iron ore (enough to build 68,000 cars), multiple container trains – 90% of Narvik’s grocery supplies come to Narvik from Sweden via this railway – and several passenger trains EVERY DAY. A replica of the first engine to make the journey sits next to the tracks at the train station.

We are boarding this historic train strictly for sight-seeing purposes. Our 2-1/2 hour journey will take us through beautiful scenery and multiple tunnels that will challenge Ken’s ability to snap the perfect shot before the next tree or tunnel takes it away. The weather was less than perfect, but we were happy that it wasn’t pouring rain, and cooperated enough for us to be able to capture some of the splendor we witnessed.

The suspension bridge in the photo above is the second-longest suspension bridge in Norway. It lies above the Arctic Circle and was the longest suspension bridge within the Arctic Circle at the time of its construction in 2018 (how can you be both “above” and “within” at the same time? You’ll have to ask Wikipedia – its above Pam’s pay grade). Viewing the rocks in the last two pictures you can see why this is referred to as the “ice-blue” fjord of Narvik.

The Ofoten Line takes us over seven bridges and through 23 tunnels. When you consider we are only going a distance of 26 miles you can begin to appreciate the photo op challenges Ken faced. At the time the railway was built, Finland had only recently been made part of Russia. The railway was within 80 miles of the Norway/Finland border, and there was concern that Russia might try to invade Norway. To prevent them from using the railway to do so, they designed the bridge that would have enabled that to be blown up. The bridge was fabricated in Germany; its pier parts transported by horse-drawn carriage included explosive chambers. Railway employees living in the houses by the tracks were actually guards positioned to blow the bridge at any sign of invasion by the Russians.

Our ride took us to the very end of the Ofotfjord and beyond. The water of fjord is an inlet of the Norwegian Sea and reaches depths of more than 360 feet. Within its depths lie the remains of at least 10 German warships, all sunk during the Battle of Narvik. If you look closely at that last photo, you can see the remains of one washed up on shore. WWII brought increased attention to Sweden’s iron ore – needed for making all things military – and Narvik’s ice-free port. Deeply coveted by both sides, the Germans took advantage of the distraction caused by Hitler’s impending nvasion of France to make its move. Ironically, the bridge built by Germans to keep out the Russians now became critical in keeping out the Germans. Unfortunately, between the amount of ice encasing its supports and the lack of explosives used, the bridge was damaged but not destroyed. Allied forces quickly responded. The Battle for Narvik lasted 62 days and cost 8,500 lives. Initially the Allied forces prevailed, but when they left Norway just a few weeks later the Germans seized control. They would retain it for the next five years, until the war ended.

We made two stops along the way. Our first was at Rombak Station’s; the second was Katterat, which has become a popular stop for skiers during winter months. Its surrounding hills are covered in the subtle colors of these beautiful flowers.

The return trip was as beautiful as the trip going out.