Sophistication in Sweden’s Stockholm 3

It is one of those islands that, according to fbb in his intro blog, makes public transport in Stockholm “interesting”. As you can see, it is linked to Stockholm city by a bridge, but it was not always thus. In 1803 the link was by, literally, a floating bridge consisting of a line of pontoons.

This was renewed and improved in 1883, presumably to make it possible to cross by they new fangled horseless carriages.

In 1925 the “Old” Bridge was built carrying one lane of motor traffic and one tram track.

Once the “New” bridge was opened in 1972 …

… its predecessor became tram, pedestrian and cycle only and so it remains today.

But there was a tram on the island well before there was a tram bridge …

… and to complete the link to Stockholm there was a tram ferry!

There are two useful sources of on-line stiff for the Lidingo tram/train. One is the Swedish Wikipedia with a very full history of the line; but well beyond fbb’s limited linguistic abilities. The other is an 11 minute video on YouTube, mainly  talking head and all in Swedish. But it does offer a few mayos which helps fbb piece together a thumbnail view of how the line developed.

Once the bridge was built, trams continued from Ropsten (the current city terminus) on Stockholm’s ordinary tram tracks into the centre.

A second branch was opened …

Then in the 1960s the original branch was closed, leaving today’s southern route. Along came Hoger Dag …

… when driving on the l|EFT (like UK) changed o driving on the RIGHT. As part of this scheme some tram routes were withdrawn including the Lidingo route into Stockholm centre. This link is now provided by Tunnelbana 13.

For most of its history the Lidingobanan has only has three types of tram. Single cars began the service until more modern stock took over. These two vehicle types are illustrated in the following short video of a heritage tunning day, mainly shot at or near Ropsten terminus.

Modern stock now operates the line …

… and a ride reveals, in addition to the bridge, some rather good scenery.

A few bits of the original but closed section remain, as here with a pub/caff that was a station …

… but the existing line has been extensively modernised and upgraded, so its ancient heritage has all-but faded into non-existence.

SIGH!

But according to the man on the YouTube video, there is a campaign to re-open the original line; or something very similar. Needless to say the politics are getting in the way. The politicians say there needs to be a vast expansion of housing to justify a new tram …

… but the populace doesn’t want to lose the area’s relative cosiness.

Ah, ’twas ever thus.

Nothing specific has yet appeared.

X and Z will be a problem!

 Next A B C blog : Friday 1st December